DANBURY, Connecticut — Western Connecticut State University launched Wolves Day of Giving on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, a daylong event that focused on the gift of education. As the 24-hour contribution clock ticked down toward midnight on Feb. 22, one thing became clear: faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, grandparents, supporters and friends took the challenge to contribute seriously. More than $205,000 was donated by 1,570 people in just one day, with gifts still being tallied. The giving day site at https://wolvesgivingday.wcsu.edu/ will remain open until Wednesday, Feb. 28, as gifts continue to come in and the total rises.
All contributions made during Wolves Day of Giving will directly impact Western Connecticut State University and its students, whether through scholarships, funds to purchase textbooks, the purchase of equipment for anything from science labs to sports training rooms – and much, much more.
Joining the many generous donors were Visionary Sponsors that included Mulvaney Mechanical, SUOAF, AAUP, Cirone Friedberg, Test-Con, Colins Hanafin, Fay and Jerry Walton, Anthony and Barbara Giobbi, Larry and Linda Harbuck, Ray and Zulmira Boa, and Gregory E. Brower, who generously donated funds for the challenges, matches and prizes to add excitement and rewards throughout the day. Corporate partners Sodexo, Lesser Evil and Pepsi donated goods and services on Feb. 22.
Twenty-two campus departments, programs and organizations were the beneficiaries of Day of Giving contributions. WestConn Athletics topped the leaderboard with $115,000 received from 1,169 donors – many of whom sent messages of support to current or former student-athletes. In a happy coincidence, the WestConn Men’s Basketball team soundly defeated UMass Dartmouth in the O’Neill Center to advance to the Little East Conference finals during the final hours of Day of Giving.
In a letter to the campus community on Feb. 23, WCSU Interim President Dr. Manohar Singh expressed his gratitude.
“I am thrilled to share with you the remarkable success of our inaugural “Wolves Day of Giving” held yesterday. Together, we not only met our ambitious target, but soared past it, raising a total of $201,880.00 to exceed our goal by an impressive 34.5%. This achievement is a testament to the strength, passion, and unity of our community.
“What truly warmed our hearts was the overwhelming sea of affection and support we received from over 1,500 donors. This diverse group included staff, faculty, alumni, students, partners, and our broader community, all coming together like a family in a show of strength and passion. This collective effort showcased our shared commitment to serving our students and building a stronger community.”
After thanking the many campus teams that were instrumental in planning for, promoting and executing Wolves Day of Giving, Singh also addressed the many donors directly: “I also want to thank our faculty, students, alumni, staff, and all donors for your generous contributions and unwavering support. Your belief in our mission and your willingness to invest in our future are incredibly inspiring.”
Singh concluded with a call to action for the future: “As we reflect on this historic day, let us carry forward the spirit of unity and generosity that made it possible. The “Wolves Day of Giving” has set a new standard for what we can achieve together as a community. Let us continue to support each other, our students, and our collective mission with the same passion and commitment.
For more information, contact WCSU Communications and Marketing at pr@wcsu.edu.
Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.