This year's Giving Day was record-breaking.
Wayne State College celebrated its sixth annual Giving Day this year with record-breaking success, raising more than $156,000 from generous alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and supporters. This total marks the most successful Giving Day in the College’s history and demonstrates the strong commitment of the Wildcat community to supporting students and advancing the mission of Wayne State College.
Donors from across the country came together to make gifts of all sizes, collectively creating a powerful impact that will support student scholarships, academic programs, campus initiatives, and student-athlete scholarships.
“This year’s Giving Day was truly exceptional,” said Hannah Lindsay, director of alumni relations and annual campaigns at Wayne State College. “The outpouring of support from our alumni and friends is truly inspiring. Their generosity not only helped us surpass our Giving Day goal but also made this the most successful Giving Day in Wayne State College history.”
Throughout the day, alumni and supporters were inspired by stories of impact, real-time fundraising milestones, and enthusiastic participation across social media and campus channels, all of which contributed to the record-breaking outcome.
Challenge gifts multiply impact
A major factor in the success of Giving Day was the generosity of donors who provided challenge gifts, motivating others to give and help unlock additional funding throughout the day. These leadership gifts created momentum and encouraged participation by matching or challenging additional donations at key moments.
Wayne State College gratefully recognizes the following individuals, organizations, and anonymous donors whose challenge gifts helped elevate Giving Day to new heights:
- Steve Rames and President Marysz Rames, $500, Student Emergency Fund
- Dr. Ron Holt, $2,000, Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country
- Lisa Albers, $500, School of Arts and Humanities
- Marie Mohr, $10,000, Baseball
- The Lemar Family, $11,500, Baseball
- Sandra Kirsch-Dorcey, $1,000, School of Business and Technology,
- Byron Schafersman, $5,000, Athletic Excellence
- Jim and Elizabeth Erwin, $2,500, Volleyball
- Cap Peterson, $1,500, Multiple Areas
- Shane and Abbie Baack, $2,500, Multiple Areas
- Matt Ley and Sandy Brown, $500, General Fund
- Roger Sahs, $250, School of Business and Technology
- Bob Ensz, $500, The General Fund
- Mike Green, $1,750, Multiple Areas
- Kevin Peterson, $2,000, Baseball and Volleyball
- Bill and Betty Reeg, $300, School of Arts and Humanities
- Bob Machovsky and Katie Machovsky, $500, General Fund
- Mike and Kayla Varley, $2,200, General Fund
- Bill Melena, $1,000, Baseball
- George Burcum and Susan Boust, $2,500, Baseball
Their leadership and generosity inspired hundreds of donors and significantly increased the impact of every gift made.
The success of Giving Day highlights the strength of the Wayne State College community and its shared belief in the power of philanthropy. The College looks forward to building on this momentum to continue supporting students and enhancing programs that make a meaningful difference on campus and beyond.