‘All together,’ Purdue Day of Giving soars to new $28.2 million record for 24-hour higher-ed campaign

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — With “All Together” as its rallying theme, Purdue’s fourth annual Day of Giving inspired supporters around the country and the world to raise a record $28.2 million from 15,181 donations in 24 hours. The total, more than 54 percent higher than last year’s $18.3 million, sets the record—for the third consecutive year—for most dollars raised for higher education through a single-day campaign.

The online, social-media-driven event also set Purdue records for number of donations received, surpassing last year’s 12,872 donations; number of gifts from international donors, which increased by 87 percent over last year; and number of countries represented. Donations came in from 56 countries (up from 44 last year), as well as all 50 states.

“For another national record-breaking year, Purdue students, alumni, parents, friends, retirees, faculty and staff came together in support of our objective of higher education at the highest proven value,” said Purdue President Mitch Daniels. “We are forever grateful for the immense generosity and support for our ongoing goals and our new initiatives to build a better, stronger, more affordable Purdue.”

Purdue Day of Giving featured a free comedy show at Elliott Hall of Music starring Vanessa Bayer of “Saturday Night Live.” (Purdue University photo/Gerry Robiños) Download image

Purdue Day of Giving ran from midnight to midnight on Wednesday (April 26), generating more than 20 million social media impressions, including exposures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and spurring donors to contribute to campuses, colleges, schools, programs or student organizations of their choosing. Thirty-three hourly challenges kept Purdue’s 62 participating academic and non-academic programs locked in friendly competition for cash prizes, and a challenge specifically for student organizations engaged 115 participating organizations.

Gifts ranged in size from $10 or less to $2.5 million. Major General (Retired) Robert Shadley, who has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering from Purdue, and his wife, Ellie, made the $2.5 million donation to the School of Industrial Engineering.

“Purdue has always held a special place in my heart, and Ellie and I have made the university our giving priority,” said Shadley. “This year, through Purdue Day of Giving, in addition to endowing two professorships, we have established a ReThink IE Undergraduate Research Fellowship Award. We hope that the industrial engineering graduates of the future will make a difference in whatever part of this complex world they choose to serve. We also hope to provide support for the world-class Purdue School of Industrial Engineering faculty that helps shape young lives every day.”

Among other gifts made on the day:

Cameron Mann, a senior in agricultural communications and agribusiness, contributed to the College of Agriculture. “I’ve learned a lot from faculty and my peers at Purdue,” she said. “By participating in Purdue Day of Giving, I hope that another student will be able to benefit in the way I have.”

Purdue engineering students celebrate Purdue Day of Giving. The day-long event generated 15,181 donations and raised a record $28.2 million. (Purdue University photo/Gerry Robiños) Download image

Alumni Chris and Kristy Daniels made a leadership gift to the Purdue football master plan and will join co-chairs Drew and Brittany Brees as members of the Purdue football program’s National Leadership Circle Executive Committee. Chris, a 2000 graduate, was a member of the Purdue football team, and Kristy, also a 2000 graduate, was a cheerleader.

Jyoti and Aditya Mathur funded a Rising Star named faculty position in the Department of Computer Science to attract talented junior-level faculty to Purdue and retain them.

K9s for Warriors, an organization that provides service dogs for veterans, contributed to the School of Veterinary Medicine.

Erwei Dong with his wife, Hye-ji Kim, funded an endowment in the School of Visual and Performing Arts to enable student travel to China for the study of Chinese art.

“Private giving is such a personal choice,” said Amy Noah, vice president for development. “We are honored and so very grateful each year for the thousands of individuals who support our university’s students and programs, and for the corporations and foundations that also grant opportunity through their generosity.”

Purdue Day of Giving 2017 also saw the launch of the “Ever True: Campus Campaign” for faculty, staff, retirees, and students as part of the overarching “Ever True” capital campaign, which extends through 2019, the 150th anniversary year of Purdue’s founding.

For more information on Purdue Day of Giving and a list of the hourly-challenge winners, see DayofGiving.Purdue.edu. 

Contact: Lisa Tally, 765-494-2181, lhtally@prf.org  

Sources: Amy Noah, arnoah@prf.org 

Mitch Daniels, president@purdue.edu