By Jackie Todd, Office of Media Relations
Want to directly impact Clemson’s future? Here’s your chance. Clemson University will host its second Give Day on April 6. Last year’s inaugural event garnered nearly $1 million and organizers hope to exceed that figure this year.
What’s in it for faculty and staff
Faculty and staff benefited from university gifts and are key to this effort, according to event organizers.
“Many of Clemson buildings, facilities and structures that faculty and staff use today exist because of gifts to Clemson,” said Michele Cauley, associate vice president of marketing, communications and events in Development and Alumni Relations. “As a public university that’s dependent on governmental funding, gifts to the university are crucial to attract students, offer updated workspaces for faculty and staff and keep the university competitive.”
For example, the state-of-the-art Watt Family Innovation Center that opened its doors last year was built as a result of a gift to the university. The Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, Pearce Center for Professional Communication, Swann Fitness Center and Zucker Family Graduate Education Center along with many others are the result of the generosity and philanthropy of our Clemson Family. Additionally, many student scholarships within departments/colleges are funded through private gifts.
Cauley said that last year, faculty and staff represented four percent of the Give Day donors.
“Give Day is the same day as Founder’s Day again this year to remind us of the lasting legacy of Thomas and Anna Clemson who founded this university,” she said. “It is up to each of us to do our part to build on that legacy and Give Day is just one of the ways you can positively impact Clemson.”
How faculty and staff can participate
It doesn’t matter how much you give. It just matters that you give. And it’s easy to do so. On April 6, faculty and staff are encouraged to be leaders on Give Day by making a gift online, through payroll deduction, or at the on-campus Give Day tables on the Library Bridge and on Fort Hill Lawn from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. There will be food, drinks and giveaways at both on-campus locations.
Learn more about Give Day here.
