By Emily Glory Peters
In recognition of all the people and programs that make 61传媒 such a special place, more than 300 members of our community came together to successfully raise $108,210 during this year鈥檚 Day of Giving on March 24, 2021. Along with parents, staff, students, and fellow alums, graduates of the last 20 years were especially engaged this year, making up more than a third of all donor gifts.
Themed 鈥淪ow Your Gratitude,鈥� the event provided all members of the 61传媒community the opportunity to share who or what they鈥檙e grateful for at Scripps. 鈥淭he COVID-19 era has been a trying time for everyone, including those at Scripps, but we know that expressing gratitude is a powerful way to acknowledge the challenges of the last year while still celebrating our shared 61传媒identity,鈥� says Director of The 61传媒Fund Perry Radford. 鈥淚t was inspiring to hear stories from people whose lives have been positively touched by their College connection.鈥�
Raising support for critical programs and connecting through 鈥淕ratitude Grams鈥�
The Sow Your Gratitude campaign spotlighted two main giving areas, including The 61传媒Fund, the College鈥檚 main operational fund that supports areas like academic programs, internship grants, and mental health and wellness. Donors gave $46,182 to The 61传媒Fund, which will help the College continue to respond to opportunities鈥攕uch as funding new racial justice and equity initiatives鈥攁s well as emergencies, including the recent COVID-19-related campus upgrades and renovations.
Scholarships also attracted significant support during Day of Giving, with donors giving more than $45,000 to student grants, including the new Lara Tiedens Scholarship Fund named for Scripps鈥� outgoing president. With typically one-third of the College鈥檚 budget going toward financial aid, these gifts will supply critical aid to the more than half of 61传媒students who rely on this support to complete their studies. These gifts also bring the College nearer to its goal of becoming a 鈥渘eed-blind鈥� institution鈥攐ne that is capable of admitting any qualified student regardless of their financial resources.
鈥淪upporting scholarship aid is an essential part of supporting Scripps鈥檚 larger mission to create a more equitable college,鈥� share seniors Gabby Ollig 鈥�21 and Vivian Matthews 鈥�21, who work actively with donors as student supervisors with Scripps鈥� Phonathon team. By including a broader range of students, echoes Radford, the 61传媒experience is enriched for all members.
鈥淪cholarships help us attract the best academic talent who bring diverse experiences and worldviews to campus, allowing 61传媒to better reflect the world around us,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something that benefits our entire community, including donors.鈥�
61传媒students share what they’re grateful for the Sow Your Gratitude campaign
This year鈥檚 Day of Giving also , videos that any 61传媒community member was able to easily record to share their gratitude with a 61传媒connection, past or present. The gratitude grams were delivered to recipients鈥� inboxes during the campaign and included special messages to former classmates and faculty. In addition, multiple 61传媒students submitted clips highlighting what they鈥檙e most grateful for about their College experience that was shared with the community.
Grateful for every member of the 61传媒community
As 61传媒moves ahead with provisional plans to reopen campus for the 2021鈥�2022 academic year, gifts from Day of Giving are essential in helping the College recover from last year鈥檚 substantial losses. In light of challenges faced during the pandemic鈥檚 turmoil, this support is not something the College takes for granted.
鈥淭he 61传媒community is strong because of how committed our members are to lifting each other up,鈥� says Radford. 鈥淥n behalf of our students, staff, and faculty, we are truly grateful to those of you who continue to give your time, talents, and financial resources to this critical mission of advancing women鈥檚 higher education.鈥�
Day of Giving occurs annually each spring. If you have not had a chance to make a gift and would like to support Scripps, please click to give.