Elmhurst College alumni, faculty, staff and students came together on Thursday, April 20, for the College’s first Day of Giving, raising funds to support scholarships, faculty development and other benefits to students.

The College received an impressive 657 gifts from alumni and friends, and raised $121,000.

The Day of Giving began with the Scholarship Breakfast, a joyful opportunity—complete with student flash mob—for donors to meet the students who benefit from their scholarship support. Activities continued throughout the day to engage the campus community, ending with a dodgeball tournament and a potluck dinner in the chaplain’s home with the Young Alumni and Chicago clubs.

Meanwhile, all day long, the giving never stopped. Donors issued a number of challenges that not only were met but were surpassed:

• Power of Many Challenge: Board of Trustee member Gina Prochaska ’88 pledged $25,000 if 250 alumni donated gifts of $50 or more. Of the total number of gifts, 325—about half—came from alumni donors.
• President Troy and Dr. Annette VanAken Challenge: The VanAkens agreed to donate $10,000 to support faculty and staff professional development once the campus community reached 45% giving participation. In fact, faculty and staff achieved a participation rate of more than 60%, almost double the rate of the previous year.
• Barbara and Robert W. Swords Light of Knowledge Challenge: Susan Swords Steffen agreed to match all gifts 2:1 made from alumni from the Classes of 1968-1988 who supported the Barbara and Robert W. Swords Light of Knowledge Scholarship (up to $2,500).
• Students also have given back to the College, with 100 seniors contributing to the class gift so far.

Donors making gifts of $50 or more were entered into two contests:

• World Series Champion Chicago Cubs Tickets: The winner of two Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds tickets is Marissa McLean ’14 of Schaumburg, Ill.
• Homecoming 2017 Alumni Tailgate Package: The winner of a reserved tailgate spot at Homecoming 2017, as well as food, non-alcoholic beverages for up to 20 people and the use of the alumni pop-up tent, is Frank Rattin ’94 of Villa Park, Ill.

“I’m so gratified to see the commitment on the part of our alumni and the campus community to Elmhurst College and its success,” President VanAken said. “One of our key messages this academic year has been The Power of Many, and the results from our Day of Giving demonstrate why that message will help to take us to our goals and dreams.”