The support kept growing, and growing, and growing.
Mary Baldwin University celebrated its annual day of giving on May 1 to phenomenal success. Known as Day to Lead the Way, the 24-hour online event united alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends to make a meaningful impact in the lives of current and future students. So far, 227 donors from 26 states and the District of Columbia gave a combined $219,679 toward Mary Baldwin’s continued success, shattering the day’s goal by $94,679.
Motivation to participate in Day to Lead the Way was fueled by robust social media engagement, exclusive #MBUfamily T-shirts awarded for gifts of $100 or more, and a period of matching gifts by President Pamela Fox. Hourly goals met throughout the day also unlocked special gifts from generous donors.
This year’s giving focused on those who have served as the backbone of MBU since its founding. Participants were encouraged to make their gifts in honor of a faculty member or members who played a defining role in their Mary Baldwin experience and beyond. Tributes to professors both past and present flooded Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, accompanied by heartwarming reminisces of the men and women who helped shaped the intellectual curiosity and social conscience of generations.
An added uniqueness to this year’s day of giving was Mary Baldwin’s first college competition. Donors had the opportunity to designate their support to any one of the university’s five colleges, with the winning college receiving an extra bonus added to its budget to further impact students. The College of Business, Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, Shakespeare and Performance, and the College of Education vied for the top honor. The day-long event ended with the College of Arts and Sciences claiming the highest total, with $10,213.17 in donations.
“What an exciting Day to Lead the Way it was for Mary Baldwin,” said Megan McAllister ʼ18, assistant director of development. “We are so thankful to all of our donors who helped us shatter goals and challenges, all while thanking our beloved professors.”
All gifts received through Day to Lead the Way are designated for the Baldwin Fund in support of the Invest for Impact Campaign, which will provide further unique learning opportunities for students, innovative degree offerings, critical financial aid, and campus improvements.
