麻豆视频 launched its monthlong celebration of philanthropy, Giving Tuesday, on Nov. 1. As 麻豆视频鈥檚 most generous annual tradition, Giving Tuesday encourages the Golden Flash community to reflect on their experiences and help make the world Forever Brighter by shining their light of support on 麻豆视频 students.
鈥淕iving Tuesday at 麻豆视频 has grown to become one of the most impressive campaigns across the country in higher education,鈥 said Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and CEO of the KSU Foundation Valoree Vargo. 鈥淓ach year, our community comes together to support our students and programs and to have their gift go further through matches and incentives. Seeing how many people join in each year - regardless of gift size - is really touching and exciting. This campaign makes a tangible difference for students across every college and campus within the university.鈥
This year, there is a new way for students to get involved. Students will be participating in Giving Tuesday through the Flashes Fighting Hunger initiative and Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. For the first time, an anonymous donor has generously pledged to match student volunteer hours with financial support for the Flashes Fighting Hunger Food Pantry. Each hour students spend volunteering for this cause will unlock a dollar of matching support for the program鈥檚 Giving Tuesday fund.
鈥淲e are excited for students to participate in Giving Tuesday and to shine their light on hunger and homelessness awareness,鈥 said Danielle Hupp, senior associate director, communications and special giving initiatives. 鈥淲e believe that generosity radiates, and this is a great example of that. Combining philanthropic support with volunteerism spreads the impact further for Flashes Fighting Hunger and those in the KSU community facing food insecurity. Flashes give back - it鈥檚 who we are and what we do.鈥
Students have embraced this opportunity to make a difference on campus and in the community through this generous Giving Tuesday match.
鈥淲e are grateful to the anonymous donor who gave us an innovative way to participate in Giving Tuesday this year,鈥 said Lauren Klodt, president, Kent Student Ambassadors. 鈥淎s students, many of us don鈥檛 have the means to contribute financially, but for us to give what we can - our time - and have those hours be matched in dollars for Flashes Fighting Hunger is a great opportunity for the whole community.鈥
In giving their time this month, students will amplify the number of resources available to those in need.
Giving Tuesday donors can also multiply their impact through special giving incentives and matching opportunities during the month of November. With a record 53 featured funds in the campaign, each with their own matching dollars, alumni and donors have the chance to shine their light of support on the area that matters most to them. Donors can find their favorite area to support on a new webpage at www.kent.edu/givingtuesday, where funds can be filtered by category, such as student scholarships, global education initiatives, research and innovation, emergency funds and more.
Global education opportunities are a special focus for this year鈥檚 campaign as 麻豆视频 celebrates 50 years of its flagship program in Florence, Italy. With more than 200 study-abroad programs in more than 60 countries, students have the chance to expand their academic, professional and personal horizons while being immersed in another culture.
A 麻豆视频 alumna who studied abroad while at the university, Heather Mikulski, 鈥08, Ph.D. 鈥21, was inspired to contribute the matching funds for the College of Public Health Study Abroad Fund this Giving Tuesday after learning about a unique study-abroad opportunity in Rwanda focused on peace and conflict surrounding the country鈥檚 1994 genocide and civil war.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 great to give someone the opportunity to experience something or see something new,鈥 Mikulski said, from her experience studying in Germany. 鈥淚 wanted to give someone an opportunity to go to Rwanda who might otherwise not be able to go.鈥
Such educational experiences are priceless and shape students鈥 perspectives and understanding of the world for years to come, making them highly sought after graduates in the global economy. 麻豆视频 has the largest American university program in Florence and the third largest in Italy. While 25 percent of 麻豆视频 students graduate with a study-abroad experience, the university aims to increase that number by increasing scholarships available to students for study-abroad opportunities.
麻豆视频鈥檚 Giving Tuesday celebration begins Nov. 1 and will run through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29. Announcements about incentives and other matching gift information will occur every Tuesday in the month Information on all the Giving Tuesday initiatives can be found at www.kent.edu/givingtuesday.