After ranking in the top ten for dollars raised and number of donors two years ago in the first Dam Proud Day, the Oregon State University Day of Giving, the Honors College surpassed previous giving totals in the 2021 Dam Proud Day, with $38,987.50 in contributions*. This was the eighth highest total among the 58 participating units at Oregon State. The group of 98 donors was the 12th largest.
All funds raised support differential tuition scholarships for Honors College students. Differential tuition is the cost of enrollment in the Honors College and supports curricular and co-curricular offerings. Students can apply for a differential tuition scholarship every year to help offset this cost.
“What a great day for the Honors College,” says Dean Toni Doolen. “For the second time, our entire community, including current students, alumni, faculty, family and friends, came together to do something that will have a significant impact and advance our goals of inclusive excellence.”
The Honors College had set a goal of 60 donations for the day, a number passed by mid-afternoon. Every 10 gifts, up to 60, unlocked a new challenge gift created by a diverse group of Honors College community leaders:
- Tom and Angie Beer, Rahul and Samantha Shah, Joachim Strenk, Jill and Randy Thomas, and Janette and Scott Townsend created the Honors College Parent and Family Challenge
- Dan and Margaret Porth and Susan Lair and Doug Trobough created the Legacy Parent Challenge
- Karen Bolin, Jaime and Adam King, and the Masters family created the Legacy Alumni Challenge
- Kerry Ahearn, the Cynipid Fund, Jim and Bonnie Krueger, and Kevin Ahern and Indira Rajagopal created the Honors College Faculty Challenge
- Dan and Wanda Arp, Toni and Erick Doolen, Joe Hendricks and Hazel Reeves, and Sue and Larry Rodgers created the Deans Challenge
- Eric and Heather MacKender and Tristan Wagner created an Honors College Alumni Challenge
“I am inspired and overwhelmed by the support of everyone who stepped forward. We talk a great deal about the importance of community in the Honors College,” says Dean Doolen, “and this year, we showed exactly what being a part of a strong community means.”
*Dam Proud Day was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
By: Christopher McCracken
CATEGORIES: All Stories Community Dean's Corner Features