Starting in 2021, Waynesburg University began Orange Week – a campus-wide, week-long event which allows students the opportunity to engage with the community on and around campus through various campaign tasks. 

This week of events and orange-themed activities allows academic departments, athletic teams and other groups the ability to raise money for their respective organizations that directly benefits the students and said groups. 

Many hands are needed for such an operation to go on and be successful, starting with the Waynesburg University Institutional Advancement team, which plans and executes the campaign. 

“We partnered with Student Development to create engaging events, with plenty of orange snacks and merch, for students and the campus community to build excitement around the campaign,” stated Maura Fenske, who serves as the coordinator of development and alumni relations.

Fenske and her team look to provide the tools necessary for each department to continue to raise funds in order to offer quality education and unique experiences for students. Each group is tasked with selecting a specific item that would improve their environment. As mentioned, instead of the funds going towards a general budget, these items allow for the donors to feel they are a part of something specific that is special to that group. 

“We were pleased that 11 of our departments and teams met or exceeded their goals, with many more having come incredibly close,” Fenske wrote in an email interview. By the end of all the fundraising this year, the University was able to raise $62,649.21 through 577 donations. 

Out of all the teams and departments participating in the event, only one can raise the most, this year’s winner goes to the Waynesburg University Football team, who raised $10,789 in order to provide travel gear for the team. “Orange week is an opportunity for the students, especially in athletics, to have their own voice,” said Dr. Cornelius Coleman, who serves as the head football coach. 

Since the creation of Orange Week, the football team has been very successful in raising funds. In 2021, they raised approximately $18,000, and in 2022, they raised approximately $17,000. 

“Our young men take one designated night, and we do a call-a-thon. They are able to reach out to their friends, family, individuals within the campus the community and alumni,” Coleman stated. 

Many teams make this campaign a fun way to have fellowship with each other and the community. Competitions also arise such as which position group makes the most calls in one night and which group raises the most money. “The offensive linemen have won the last three years running and they now have bragging rights. They have gotten so smart with it they have earned snacks, and their position coach has gotten a tattoo every year, because he told them if they were the number one revenue generating unit he would get a tattoo,” Coleman said.

Orange Week has been a great success in the few years of running, creating an interesting valuable fundraising event that has important impact across campus. “From financial contributions to social media posts to spreading the word face-to-face, every little bit matters. We are very grateful for the support this event has received,” Fenske stated when asked about the progress that Orange Week has made since its institution.

Fenske mentioned Waynesburg University has gained great recognition and acknowledgement because of Orange Week. Many alumni, future students and people in the community have supported the University and become more involved as a result of Orange Week.