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By Kim Sherman Bailey

University Relations

MURFREESBORO – Chowan University’s third annual day of giving was the most successful fundraising event of its kind in Chowan history and commemorated the 175th anniversary of the institution.

This year’s day of giving inspired 748 donors to give, totaling $332,284, surpassing the event’s fundraising goal of $175,000 to support various university areas. Alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and parents from 32 states and four countries participated in the online giving event during the 1,848 minutes of giving on April 5-6.

There were over 214 Chowan Champions who signed up to promote the day of giving by sharing their story and even sharing their unique giving URLs to encourage others to give. Donors had an opportunity to express their support by writing messages when they made a gift online, either in memory or in honor of someone on the giving day website donor wall.

Throughout the day, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters stopped by campus to show their support not only monetarily but with their time at “giving day headquarters” located in the Felton University House and student social tent located at the historic McDowell Columns Building and various events throughout campus.

Vital to the success of the day of giving were 29 matching gifts and challenges totaling $228,900. Several alumni and friends of the university participated in offering challenges that inspired additional support.

Charles Pond (Class of 1962) generously had a 1:1, dollar for dollar match for donations and a CCSA Challenge. Chairman of the Board Kemper Baker (Class of 1965) and his wife, Bev, also had a 1:1 dollar for dollar match that helped round out the afternoon donations.

Mick and Carol Outten had two gifts that challenged people to support the Chowan Fund and the Veterans Scholarship.

The Science Department is in need of lab upgrades and Warren Chancey, along with Dr. Harold Babb (Class of 1970), Betty Meiggs, Mick Outten (Class of 1971), and Jamie Johnson made significant gifts to challenge additional donors to this project and to get more awareness of the need for lab upgrades.

Board of Trustees Vice Chair Dr. Harold Babb and his wife, June Slater Babb (both in the Class of 1970), made the Hawks Nest student center fundraising effort a focus by challenging others to enhance the student recreational experience on campus.

Grace Brown challenged friends of the university to give in honor of loved ones to the Chowan Chapel.

Numerous other challenges were created, including Barry Bradberry (Class of 1973), Lynn Gruber Powell (1976), Jenay Nelson (2012), Maurice Fluitt (2009), Chad and Jessica Drake (both in the Class of 1992), The Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce, Betty Jo Shepheard, Dr. Pamela Woodard (2012), brothers Mark Parker and Al Parker and Trustees Jane Burke, Lynette Bunch, Elaine Myers, Jesse E. Vaughan, Cecil Hollomon and Linda Weaver.

To see the complete list of challenges, to view the donor wall, see a recap of the day, or to make a gift, you can visit givingday.chowan.edu.