By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – The donations just kept rolling in for Illinois State University on Giving Tuesday.
ISU received $556,733 from 1,445 donors. Executive Director of Annual Giving Lora Wey’s reaction to the generosity ISU saw Tuesday: “wow.”
“We are so pleasantly surprised with the results that we had yesterday,” said Wey. “It was a great example of how this community has come together in support of Illinois State and its students, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results.”
The goal was to surpass the 2014 Giving Tuesday totals of $343,461 from 1,273 individual gifts.
“Certainly, in this time of budget uncertainty, these extra gifts are particularly critical just for the overall health, and programmatic support, and scholarship support of the university,” Wey said.
Wey said the Red and White Scholarship was a major beneficiary of donors.
“Which is one of our areas of greatest need here at the university and is one of our most restrictive scholarships,” said Wey. “It can provide financial support when all other areas have been exhausted.”
In a press release, President Larry Dietz described the generosity of Redbird Nation as “truly amazing.”
“Their financial gifts support many important University programs, as well as scholarships that help students complete their studies. That type of support is a vital part of Illinois State’s ongoing success,” Dietz said.
Donations can still be made to ISU by heading to IllinoisState.edu/giving.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
