DAY OF GIVING 2018, Day of Giving to focus on donors, not donations

University sets goal for 1,200 donations

Waynesburg University’s third annual Day of Giving, Thursday, Nov. 15, will allow alumni, staff, faculty, students and their families to support the university. Each person who gives a monetary amount may leave the donation either undesignated or put it toward any department of their choice.

Donna Nypaver, director of Donor Relations and Annual Giving, said the university received $205,250 last year, and Waynesburg’s’ goal this year is to reach 1,200 donations of more than  $10 within the first 24 hours.

Nypaver said the donations received from the fundraising event has had an “immediate impact across campus.”

Many departments will participate in the event by setting up tables and encouraging donations to their cause.  The department that attains the highest monetary amount will receive an additional award. Two years ago, the Department of Communication used the additional amount toward the remodeling of the computer lab on the fourth floor of Buhl Hall, which included all new computers, large TV displays and new furniture. Last year, although they didn’t win the extra award, the department used its donations for classroom remodeling.

Richard Krause, chair of the Department of Communication, said the amount received through the day of giving has made a large difference.

“I’m just very proud of what we’ve accomplished the last two years through the Day of Giving,” Krause said. “Our alumni have been generous in their support of the department through the day of giving, and our current students have been nothing short of amazing.”

Andrew Heisey, chair of the Fine Arts Department, said the funds their department received in the past year were put toward the fine arts academy, leading to the department offering art and music classes to the community.

More than 70 percent of students have made financial contributions over the past two years, contributing greatly to the departments on campus. Outside of Waynesburg University, , people from 34 states contributed to the amount last year according to the university’s website.

Krause said money the Communications Department receives this year will go toward equipment purchases on the floor.

“It’s a significant day in all academic departments and we can achieve great things by working together,” Krause said.

To get the word out about the Day of Giving this year, Nypaver said Institutional Advancement is making more use of their social media outlets. They are doing several giveaways on social media that will continue every day, with a larger giveaway on the Day of Giving. She said they are also raising more awareness in the community of Waynesburg.

“The Institutional Advancement team is extremely grateful for the support of the entire Waynesburg University community,” Nypaver said. “This wonderful community is what makes this day such a huge success.”

Nypaver said she doesn’t believe the university will have any problem reaching their monetary goal for this year, due to the loyalty and help of both the students and alumni.

“It is such an exciting day to see the entire Waynesburg community come together for this great cause,” Nypaver said. “It truly shows what Waynesburg means to all the people this university has impacted throughout the years.”