The Charger Blog

Charger Spirit on Full Display During Founders/Giving Day

In exceeding its Giving Day fundraising goals, the University offered Chargers a fun and inclusive celebration of Founders Day, marking the 103rd anniversary of its founding. Members of the University community showed their support for students and reflected on the important impact the University has had on their own lives.

May 11, 2023

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

Charlie enjoys Founders/Giving Day with students.
Charlie enjoys Founders/Giving Day with students.

Alexis Smith 25 was excited to join her fellow Chargers in a celebration that included fun, philanthropy, and food. It was an opportunity for members of the University community to show their support and their Charger Pride both on campus and online.

The Universitys Founders Day and Giving Day event drew many undergraduate and graduate students such as Smith. Shed been looking forward to enjoying the food at the event including the tasty cookies. Being a part of the festivities celebrating the 103rd anniversary of the Universitys founding was a treat as students prepared for finals.

I like the sense of community that the University fosters with events such as this, said Smith, a psychology major. They bring everyone together, and I enjoy that.

A performance by members of the Universitys dance and cheer teams.
The kickoff included a performance by members of the Universitys dance and cheer teams.
The power of education to change lives

After a Charger Pride breakfast, the official Founders/Giving Day kickoff was held in the Bixler/Gerber Quad. It included remarks from several University and student leaders, as well as a Charger Fight Song performance by members of the Universitys and teams. The served up hamburgers and hot dogs, and Chargers gathered to have lunch and enjoy the festivities.

Chargers were later treated to a Charger Pride Festival, which included food trucks and free Italian ice, cookies, and coffee. They also had the opportunity to enter to win prize baskets with Charger swag.

Im grateful to get to plan events like this for everyone, said Anabelle Davis 24, a criminal justice major and president of the . Ive met some of the kindest, most motivated people Ive known. Im proud to speak among leaders who care so passionately about the University community.

The festivities included food trucks that offered special treats for Chargers.
The festivities included food trucks that offered special treats for Chargers.

Giving Day brought together members of the University community who showed their support for students. The University surpassed its ambitious goal of 1,000 donors and $100,000 in contributions in 24 hours. This also led to unlocking an additional $50,000 in matches that will help further ignite student success.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we are able to provide our students with the best possible education and prepare them for success in the world, said Brian Otis, vice president for Advancement. The gifts received on Giving Day will help us to continue to expand our scholarship programs, provide flexibility to respond to student and program needs, and support student-athletes. The many contributions shows the communitys deep commitment to our University and belief in the power of education to change lives.

Members of the Universitys Fire Science Club served lunch to their fellow Chargers.
Members of the Universitys Fire Science Club served lunch to their fellow Chargers.
Its nice to celebrate together

During Giving Day, donors could support a variety of important programs, including each academic colleges and schools Deans Excellence Fund, , and the Universitys Study Abroad programs. They could also contribute to important funds, such as , , and the .

This University gives us so many things friends who become family, a home away from home, a community, said Prateek Mansingh 23 MHA, president of the . I hope everyone reflects on what the University has given them.

Ana Berns 24 was thinking about that as she enjoyed the Charger cheer and the treats during the celebration. She says celebrating Founders/Giving Day was meaningful.

Giving back to the students and to the faculty for all they do is important, said Berns, a psychology major. Our professors do so much for us. Its nice to celebrate together. Being with everyone, having fun and smiling, is great.

Prateek Mansingh 23 MHA speaking at the Founders/Giving Day kickoff event.
Prateek Mansingh 23 MHA speaks at the Founders/Giving Day kickoff event.

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