OHIO Giving Day 2022 is a record-breaking success: Bobcats raise $865,877 in support of the student experience

Ohio University alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends showed record-breaking support for the OHIO student experience by donating generously on the University's third Giving Day on April 13. With a total of $865,877 in gifts, 2,041 donors chose to invest in the student experience at OHIO, funding scholarships, experiential learning programs, research, internships, co-curricular activities, and more.

"Giving Day is a powerful reminder of the commitment our OHIO community has made to delivering a total student experience that supports lifelong success," said Ohio University President Hugh Sherman. “No matter how you’re connected to OHIO, these results show how each of us can play an important part in providing transformative experiences inside and outside of the classroom.”

Through support for more than 150 funds, donors are helping to prepare students for whatever comes next. These gifts will allow students to build a portfolio of experiences during their time at OHIO, giving them the skills to move into graduate studies or their career of choice.

“On Giving Day we asked our alumni, friends, parents, faculty and staff to ‘Share Your OHIO Experience’ with the next generation of students by making a gift to any fund that connects with their own experiences and passions,” said Vice President of University Advancement and President and CEO of The Ohio University Foundation Nico Karagosian. “It’s wonderful to see that love for the Ohio University experience inspiring such incredible generosity from our donors.”

Alumni and friends, as well as University officials, generously created more than 30 matching and challenge gifts to encourage participation on Giving Day.

The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees and University Leadership supported the day's first two power hours by matching the first $100 of all gifts to any OHIO Giving Day fund, for a total match of $25,000.

Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs generously matched all gifts to the Center for Advising, Career and Experiential Learning's Ohio University Experiential Learning Fund, up to $2,500. The fund provides direct student support for OHIO's nationally recognized experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, research, creative activity, community engagement, study away, and leadership opportunities.

Other examples include a $5,000 match for the Neil Mahrer and Sonia Franceski WOUB Student Staff Support Fund from alumni Paul Miller, '71, and Larry Katz, '77; the Schey Sales Centre General Support Fund’s $15,000 match from William Axline, ’71, and Larry McHale, both members of the College of Business Executive Alumni Board; and a $10,000 matching gift from Elite Research, LLC to the funds supporting graduate and undergraduate research and creative activity.

In the morning, Scripps College Dean Scott Titsworth and current student Sam Spinale, BSJ ’23, broadcasted live from OHIO’s new Esports Arena, discussing the new facility and its future as a hub for student engagement. Spinale joined two fellow students for an afternoon broadcast, when they talked about how the experiential learning opportunities they have at OHIO are preparing them for whatever comes next. Watch the afternoon stream’s replay on the Giving Day website.

Ohio University student organizations also held their own Giving Day fundraising challenge. The Post topped the leaderboard with 57 unique gifts.

Students showed their support on Giving Day by giving at a food drive. The Student Alumni Board and the Cats’ Cupboard Steering Committee hosted an exchange during which students received a free OHIO mini pennant in exchange for food pantry items. More than 230 pounds of food was donated.

Every college on the Athens campus, as well as OHIO's regional and extension locations, benefited from donations made on Giving Day.

Giving Day featured funds were selected to highlight the importance of student experience and to remove the financial barriers so that students can make the most of their time at OHIO, collecting experiences that help them grow and succeed.