Support students by contributing to The University of Toledo’s first Day of Giving on Thursday, Oct. 12.
The inaugural fundraising event, Rocket Forward: You Launch Lives, will begin at midnight Thursday, Oct. 12, and last through noon Friday, Oct. 13. During those 36 hours, everyone is encouraged to give to UT, including alumni, students, faculty, staff, volunteers and members of the community who support the institution.
UT is launching this new tradition in recognition of its founder. The University began with a gift when Jesup W. Scott donated 160 acres of land to found what was then the Toledo University of Arts and Trades because he believed Toledo was destined to become the “future great city of the world.”
As UT marks the 145th anniversary of when the University was established in 1872, supporters are encouraged to follow in Scott’s footsteps and invest in their city’s public university on Founder’s Day.
“We are encouraging Rockets around the world to come together for one day to use their collective power to give back and make a huge difference in the present and future of The University of Toledo,” UT President Sharon L. Gaber said. “Philanthropy is key to continuing the positive momentum of our University, and I look forward to seeing what is possible when alumni and friends join forces on our Day of Giving to celebrate what we are passionate about at UT.”
“It is fitting that we kick off this Day of Giving on Founder’s Day to honor our past as we celebrate our future,” said Michael Harders, vice president for advancement. “Giving to the University is an investment in our students, our scholars, our facilities and our community as a whole. Every donor and every dollar will make a difference.”
Participation is the goal for this inaugural Day of Giving, which aims to encourage as many people as possible to support the University.
Multiple activities are planned to celebrate the day and raise awareness of the opportunity to give. The UT community is invited to Centennial Mall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, when WXUT FM 88.3 will provide popular music entertainment, Founder’s Day cupcakes will be shared, and giving tables will be set up to make it easy to donate with credit cards and Rocket dollars. On Health Science Campus, giving stations are planned in the Collier Building, Mulford Library, Wolfe Center and the Four Seasons Bistro inside UT Medical Center.
To get students engaged in Day of Giving, for donations of just $1 they can pet a dog or snap a photobooth picture on Centennial Mall, and for $5 they can receive a UT branded blender bottle. Students also can participate in several raffles during the on-campus fundraising event. For a $10 donation, they get the chance to win a Rocket football jersey signed by Coach Jason Candle. A $25 donation will give student donors one of seven chances to get a rooftop tour of Parks Tower, and a $50 donation will provide the chance to be one of seven people to tour the clock tower in University Hall.
UT mascots Rocky and Rocksy also will be “locked up” on the outdoor balcony off Doermann Theatre in University Hall to be freed when the goal of 200 gifts is reached.
Gifts to rocketforward.utoledo.edu during the Day of Giving can be designated to specific funds that support causes donors are passionate about. Various giving challenges also will be added to the website during the course of the fundraising event.
Support UT on its first Day of Giving, Rocket Forward: You Launch Lives.
