Day of Giving: More than 2,600 Salukis donate over $3.1M
The 8th annual SIU Day of Giving was Wednesday, Feb. 28, and once again, Saluki spirit was on display for 24 straight hours.
The SIU Foundation raised more than $3.15 million, and more than 2,600 donors participated. In total, there has been over $16 million donated during the Days of Giving. Every gift pushes the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign one step closer to its goal of raising $500 million.
“We put those dollars to work,” said Chancellor Austin Lane during the Day of Giving livestream from WSIU-TV studio. “Once we receive the support that’s coming from those who give during the Day of Giving that were able to put that in the hands of our students.”
Leading the way with 670 donors was the Balancing Education, Experience, and Reality (B.E.E.R.) Scholarships, driven by the Carbondale in the ’80s and ’90s Facebook group. Nearly $45,000 was raised for the endowed scholarship fund.
Other areas that topped the donor total list included:
- WSIU Public Broadcasting: 502
- School of Medicine: 279
- College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics: 240
- College of Health and Human Sciences: 142
- Saluki Athletics: 127
- College of Arts and Media: 120
The College of Business and Analytics raised $764,835, the most of any college, school, or unit.
Other areas that received the highest dollar amounts included:
- School of Medicine: $555,765
- School of Law: $526,456
- College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences: $195,917
- College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics: $188,893
- College of Liberal Arts: $157,143
- Touch of Nature: $93,510
SIU Credit Union kicked off the Day of Giving by donating $35,000 in total, designating $20,000 to New Student Programs and $15,000 to Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center.
“We put those dollars to work,” said Chancellor Austin Lane during the Day of Giving livestream from WSIU-TV studio. “Once we receive the support that’s coming from those who give during the Day of Giving that were able to put that in the hands of our students.”
Going live
The Day of Giving livestream aired from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., featuring segments from every college and school and many other units. Hosted by Vice Chancellor of Development and Alumni Relations and SIU Foundation CEO Matt Kupec, there were interviews with campus leaders, including Chancellor Lane.