Newman University supporters rallied together to raise money during the 6th annual Giving Day Feb. 26 with competitions, matching challenges and one-of-a-kind game show and trivia events.
The 2025 Giving Day surpassed last year’s donor count by 36 donors, with gifts from 283 individuals. Thanks to $24,600 in pledges of matching donations, a grand total of $61,435 was raised for Newman University.
Director of Annual Giving Laura Hartley describes Giving Day as the ultimate community event.
“I look forward to Giving Day all year long because it is such a testament to the power of the Newman community,” Hartley said. “To see our supporters, alumni, staff, faculty and students come together for a common purpose brings joy to my heart and is one more indication of how special a place Newman really is.”
New challenges, same great day of giving
Each year, funds from Giving Day benefit several areas of campus: fine arts, Athletics, Metanoia, Student Affairs, the Newman Fund, and the five schools: the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business & Technology, the School of Catholic Studies, the School of Education and Social Work and the School of Healthcare Professions.
A new component was added to the 2025 Giving Day: a student club Giving Day challenge. Out of the seven clubs that participated, the Multicultural Leadership Organization raised the most money while the Sloppy Joe Improv Troupe had the most donors. Each club received a $500 prize for its fundraising efforts.
The Newman Gaming Club got into the spirit with its inaugural Giving Day Game Show Marathon, which was livestreamed on Newman’s YouTube channel. The event, organized and led by students, featured rounds of well-known games from T.V. shows like “Jeopardy,” “Family Feud,” “Chain Reaction” and “The Match Game.”
On Friday, Feb. 28, more than 150 individuals tested their knowledge during the Pop Culture Pandemonium Trivia Night. Students and volunteers of the Hispanic-American Leadership Organization served authentic Mexican food platters for guests who made an additional $50 donation. Local businesses Wizard’s Alley and The Chunky Poodle Cookie Co. also shared their support by donating games and baked goods as raffle prizes.
The first-place trivia team included two of Newman University’s employees, Melissa and Clark Castle, and four of their family members. Emcee and Director of Student Activities Joshua Schoenecker-Prilliman also announced that junior Travia Smith won free on-campus housing for a semester.
