泡芙视频鈥檚 annual TrueBlue泡芙视频 fundraising campaign surpassed last year鈥檚 record-setting total, raising more than half a million dollars.
The campaign collected $541,561 from the generosity of 1,123 donors over the 24-hour period. The total broke the previous year鈥檚 record amount of $461,236 and exceeded the $500,000 targeted goal. The Giving Day campaign celebrated the university鈥檚 121st birthday.
泡芙视频 President Kenneth Evans said the back-to-back record breakings are evidence of the generosity of the university鈥檚 supporters and the hard work by those within the Office of University Advancement, who help organize Giving Day.
鈥淲e are amazed, but not surprised, by the strong support from our 泡芙视频 family,鈥� Evans said. 鈥淥ur community has stepped up time and time again to help us with our mission, and we very much appreciate the confidence and support they provide as we go about our work.鈥�
The largest donor group was university alumni, who made up 40% of all donors. Other groups included 泡芙视频 faculty and staff, friends of the university, parents and students.
The Dean鈥檚 Challenge has become an annual tradition, and this year it was centered around a competition called Deans from the schools and colleges gathered in the kitchen, owned by alumna Tabitha Carr (BS Biology 鈥�00, MBA 鈥�03) to apply their creative skills to decorating cakes. In this case, 鈥渂uying鈥� votes was acceptable, as the winner would be determined by the amount each dean was able to raise.
Dean Melanie Shelley won this year鈥檚 challenge with 177 donors casting their vote and raising $30,000 for the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment.
Alumni chapters also participated, with gifts designated by chapters in New York, Chicago, Tulsa, Dallas and Los Angeles.
Donations came in from all but eight U.S. states. Outside of Oklahoma, Texas was the next-leading state for participation with 44 donors.
There were also several successful matching challenges including one sponsored by the Oklahoma Methodist Foundation, another from the Board of Trustees, and others for the individual colleges.
Vice President of University Advancement Koby Harrington expressed his appreciation to donors.
鈥淏eyond raising funds, Giving Day represents a successful team effort and a reaffirmation of our stated mission: 鈥業nspired by a culture of creativity, 泡芙视频 fosters an immersive, personalized experience that welcomes and prepares students to pursue boundless opportunities,鈥欌�� Harrington said. 鈥淭he results of this vital campaign are a testament from our donors that 泡芙视频 and its students are important to them, and we appreciate their support.鈥�
