EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends powerfully came together for the University’s annual day of giving, #GIVINGTRUEDAY. More than 1,300 supporters gave over $1.2 million to a variety of scholarships, programs, and services in 24 hours Tuesday.

The day included several matching gift challenges, including a one-to-one match for gifts to the EMU Student Emergency Fund by EMU Student Government, up to $20,000. In a show of support, the EMU faculty union, EMU-AAUP, generously also contributed $20,000 to double the matching gift challenge for all gifts to the Student Emergency Fund. The Student Emergency Fund has provided essential financial support for more than 500 students during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This project and many others were featured on the University’s crowdfunding site, which is home to many special initiatives and projects around campus. Some of the other matching gift efforts happening throughout the day were for the Dr. Zafar Khan College of Business Endowed Scholarship, the Mary E. Vielhaber Women in Management Scholarship Fund, Campus Life Student Organizations, and the College in Prison Program.

WEMU, the University’s National Public Radio affiliate, far exceeded its fundraising goal of $20,000, raising nearly $31,000 by early evening Tuesday from nearly 230 donors.

“It is exciting and gratifying to see the enthusiasm of our Eastern Michigan community in supporting our students during this unprecedented time of challenge,” EMU President James Smith said. “We are a welcoming and caring campus, and that was profoundly evident on this remarkable and record-setting day. I am proud of how our faculty, staff, alumni and supporters responded to the challenge of helping fund many scholarships, programs, student organizations, and special initiatives at Eastern. It is truly inspiring.”

Bill Shepard, Vice President for Advancement & Executive Director of the EMU Foundation, said, “I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the hundreds of people who helped make this a record-breaking day. #GIVINGTRUEDAY is a wonderful example of the diversity and generosity of our University community. This year has been filled with much uncertainty, although one thing is certain: Our alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends have been more generous than ever before.”

Donors raised $400,000 more than the previous giving day record of $827,299, set in 2019, making Tuesday by far EMU’s most successful annual day of giving.

For more information, visit the #GIVINGTRUEDAY website.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.