Events on campus throughout the day provided the opportunity for students, faculty and staff to celebrate the university.
Students, faculty and staff gathered in Alumni Gym Tuesday morning surrounded by balloons, Mardi Gras-themed food and their love for the university as the university’s ninth Ƶ Day got underway.
Ƶ Day is a day of philanthropy that offers the opportunity for those connected to the university to celebrate its founding and the ongoing and substantial impact it has had on generations of students, families and communities around the globe. With events and challenges throughout the day, Ƶ supporters far and near can join in creating new opportunities for students through their generous support of the university.
All members of the Ƶ family are invited to be a part of the activity throughout the day on the Ƶ Day website.
Standing on the stage in Alumni Gym, President Connie Ledoux Book said the day is a chance to celebrate the impact of an Ƶ education. “Today we celebrate values and our distinctive mission,” Book told the crowd. “We know engaged learning makes an enormous impact on the outcomes for students, something they carry with them for the rest of their lives.”
Book said this year’s Ƶ Day theme — Ƶ Leads Through Us — resonates with her. “I absolutely believe each of us can and should lead, no matter our title or role at Ƶ, whether we’re a faculty member, staff or student,” Book said. “We each have an opportunity to make a difference in the world through our leadership.”
By the start of College Coffee, Ƶ supporters had already completed the first giving challenge of the day, with 1,200 gifts recorded. Meeting the challenge unlocked a $100,000 gift from Smith and René Jackson, and Andrew and Jennifer Greenfield P’24 that will support two new endowed Ƶ Experiences scholarships. Additionally, a $100,000 challenge for Ƶ Athletics and supported by the Phoenix Club was met when 300 Phoenix fans contributed by 11 a.m.
College Coffee also saw the announcement of a new $270,000 challenge with support for the Center for Access and Success Impact Fund, the Ƶ Academy, and other student scholarships including those for students in the School of Communications. Provided by Vicki and Mike Herson P’23, David and Pam Rothenstein P’23, Aimee and Ed Cunningham P’23, and Maity Interiano ’07, the Ƶ community was challenged to reach 1,889 gifts by 1 p.m., a challenge members embraced and met with time to spare.
Among the priorities supported by gifts made on Ƶ Day are those laid out in Boldly Ƶ, the university’s 10-year strategic plan that was launched in spring 2020. “On Ƶ Day, we can show our deep belief in this future and together bring these dreams to reality,” Book said. “Ƶ leads the nation in engaged learning and student success, a place that transforms student lives forever. Thank you to everyone who supports Ƶ and supports Ƶ Day.”
Other challenges launched Tuesday morning would support additional student scholarships, Ƶ Athletics, Catholic Campus Ministry, Hillel and Ƶ student-athletes. Information about additional challenges will be shared on the Ƶ Day website.
As in years past, donors will be able to make gifts toward specific areas of campus that mean the most to them. These areas include student scholarships, affinity networks (Ƶ Black Alumni Network, Ƶ Jewish Alumni Network, Ƶ Latinx/Hispanic Alumni Network and the LGBTQIA Alumni Network), academic schools and departments, and the Phoenix Club (Ƶ Athletics). For those wanting to make a difference in the Alamance County community, consider making a gift to the Ƶ Academy, part of the Center for Access and Success. All Ƶ Day gifts will also count toward the Ƶ LEADS Campaign.
Those celebrating online are invited to download special Ƶ Day digital swag for their social media and Zoom accounts.
As in years past, donors will be able to make gifts toward specific areas of campus that mean the most to them. These areas include student scholarships, affinity networks (Ƶ Black Alumni Network, Ƶ Jewish Alumni Network, Ƶ Latinx/Hispanic Alumni Network and the LGBTQIA Alumni Network), academic schools and departments, and the Phoenix Club (Ƶ Athletics). For those wanting to make a difference in the Alamance County community, consider making a gift to the Ƶ Academy, part of the Center for Access and Success. All Ƶ Day gifts will also count toward the Ƶ LEADS Campaign.
Those celebrating online are invited to download special Ƶ Day digital swag for their social media and Zoom accounts.
With the sun shining and the temperatures rising, the campus community gathered Tuesday afternoon on Medallion Plaza near the Lake Mary Nell for a celebration featuring music, food and fun. Hosted by the Student Union Board, visitors enjoyed a live band along with Pelican’s Snoballs, with a chance to win a free taco by playing “Let’s Taco ‘Bout Philanthropy.”
Around the country and world, Ƶ alumni chapters will be hosting a variety of events to bring university supporters together on Ƶ Day. This year Ƶ Day shared the day with Mardi Gras, with dining halls featuring Mardi Gras fare for dinner, and an Ƶ Day Mardi Party taking over Moseley Center Tuesday night, including an Ƶ Day senior toast for the Class of 2022.