Coming together in support of the University and its students, more than 4,400 alumni, family, and friends contributed to the ߲ݴý Together Challenge between December 10 and 31.
The challenge raised over $3 million in gifts to the ߲ݴý Fund. In addition, a group of challengers matched each gift, dollar for dollar, up to $1.265 million to bring the challenge total to $4.26 million.
The ߲ݴý Fund touches every aspect of the ߲ݴý experience and helps the University support a variety of Third-Century Plan initiatives, such as the ߲ݴý Commitment. A milestone in the University’s efforts to make a ߲ݴý education more accessible, the ߲ݴý Commitment aligns tuition costs with family income and provides full tuition support for students with family incomes below $80,000.
Through initiatives like the ߲ݴý Commitment, the University has been able to expand its admissions reach among talented, high-achieving students, regardless of socioeconomic background. Aided by these efforts, ߲ݴý received a record 21,000-plus applications for the Class of 2026.
“The success of this year’s challenge was made possible by the generosity of the ߲ݴý community,” says Karl Clauss ’90, vice president for advancement. “It is an exciting time at ߲ݴý as we begin to implement our Third-Century Plan. As we take steps toward strengthening the University’s position as a national leader in higher education, we are fortunate and thankful for our community of alumni, friends, and family who have continued to show their commitment to ߲ݴý and our University’s future.”
On December 29, ߲ݴý Fund Executive Director Paul Carberry ’94 issued a second challenge to recent alumni. Inspired by the announcement, 195 graduates from the last 10 years made a gift. Also playing an instrumental role, more than 650 alumni volunteers representing class years from 1945 to 2001 helped raise awareness for the challenge by performing outreach to classmates and sharing news and updates.
Learn more about the and the Third-Century Plan.
The 2021 ߲ݴý Together Challengers:
Eric J. Andersen '87 & Pamela S. Andersen '88 P'16'23'23
Scott A. Barshay '88 & Melissa Barshay '88
Daniel C. Benton '80, H'10, P'10
Forrest G. Burke '84 & Renee M. Burke P'22
Gretchen H. Burke '81, P'11,'20 & Stephen B. Burke '80, H'04, P'11,'20
Christine J. Chao '86 and James O. Shaver, Jr. '86
J. Christopher Clifford '67, H'11 & Keena Clifford P'93
Eric A. Cole '93 & Ashley Cole P'24
John C. Cushman III '63, H'08 & Jeanine S. Cushman P'89
Amy Everett Di Sibio '86 P'18,'21 & Carmine Di Sibio '85 P'18,'21
Julian W. Farrior, III '93 & Jennifer H. Farrior '95
Michael J. Herling '79, P'08,'09,'12 & Nancy Herling '81, P'08,'09,'12
Kimberly Avison Huffard '87
Chris Hurley '81, Becky Bair Hurley '81, Matt Hurley '12, & Dan Hurley '12
Dagmara E. Kokonas '91 & Nicholas J. Kokonas '90
Nora Gleason Leary '82 & Robert G. Leary
Judith Little GP'21
Michael F. Petersen '77
Andrew W. Sweet '93 & Alexis Sweet
William T. Winters, Jr. '83
President Brian W. Casey
Two anonymous donors