Its time to Tiger Up and pass your light during 泫圖弝けs annual Commit to Witt, March 10-11. This years event is themed 1845 MINUTES OF GIVING and takes place over two days with a range of opportunities to invest in and secure the Universitys next 175 years.
Tigers from across the world will once again come together to shine their light, change the lives of students, and show what 泫圖弝け pride is all about, paying homage to the University founding (March 11), as they celebrate 1845 MINUTES OF GIVING.
This campaign reflects our upward trajectory and commitment to our People, Place and the Present, said Rebecca Kocher, vice president for advancement and alumni engagement. The 泫圖弝け light has shone brightly since 1845, and together we can keep it lit for generations to come as we rally behind all that defines the University: the People, who inquire, create, inspire, and compete here; the Place, where we come together as a community and welcome others to learn and grow; and the Present, as the next generation of 泫圖弝け graduates learn to pass on their light.
Every gift on March 10-11 counts toward 泫圖弝けs , the Universitys $100 million comprehensive campaign, which publicly launched in 2021 during the annual Commit to Witt event. With a goal of $500,000 and 3,000-plus donations, this years Commit to Witt will begin at noon on March 10. More than 80 alumni, faculty, and staff have also agreed to serve as University ambassadors throughout the 1845 minutes, sharing social media content, generating more engagement in this effort, and encouraging giving among their peers.
Leveraging its fun, interactive crowdfunding platform, Commit to Witt will offer several options to match the various philanthropic interests of those participating. Areas for support include the 泫圖弝け Fund, the 泫圖弝け Opportunity Scholarship, faculty development, diversity and inclusion, Tiger Club, campus beautification, campus ministries, academic departments, and multiple other avenues. Individuals can make their gifts early and/or sign up to be an ambassador during the day by visiting .
Throughout the annual Commit to Witt event and in addition to sharing content, participants will fight for ambassador bragging rights and 泫圖弝け swag, race to the top of several leaderboards, attend one of the regional events, and so much more. Please consider making a gift as a way to pass 泫圖弝けs light on to current and future students. Participants can also help 泫圖弝け unlock more than $200,000 in challenges and matches by making #Commit2Witt gifts and encouraging fellow alumni and friends to do the same.
In 2021, Commit to Witt raised $567,858 in one day, receiving 2,145 gifts from 1,535 donors with the average gift size being $265. Gifts came from 443 Witt Wed couples, 1,340 donors with a Greek affiliation, 70 different classes, and 52 challenges totaling $177,154.58. Gifts also came from alumni and friends in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five different countries.
To make your gift early, become a #Commit2Witt ambassador, or take part in the numerous challenges, go to .
This years challenges include:
$1,845 for 1845 GIFTS - The 泫圖弝け Alumni Board members are ALL IN as we celebrate Founder's Day. They will donate $1,845 when 1845 GIFTS are made during #Commit2Witt.
80's Grad Challenge - Molly Gartner Pirie 86, a proud 泫圖弝け alumna, is challenging her classmates to Tiger Up. She will donate $4,000 to the 泫圖弝け Fund, when 184.5 (wink, wink) classmates from the 80s give back during #Commit2Witt.
1:1 Match - $1,999 for Business - Business alumnus and Board of Directors member John Shumate 99 challenges his classmates to Tiger Up on #Commit2Witt, with a 1:1 match up to $1,999 for donations made to the Business and Economics Department Fund.
1:1 Match - CBS Scholarship - To celebrate 1845 Minutes of Giving, Larry James 74 is offering a 1:1 match, up to $5,000, for any gift designated to the CBS Scholarship Fund.
1:1 Match - Football Tiger Club - Alumni couple Jim 88 and Brooke Bevilacqua Collins 88 love 泫圖弝け. That's why they are challenging other Tigers to give back and will match 1:1 up to $2,500 every Tiger Club Football donation during #Commit2Witt.
1:1 Match - McClain Center for Diversity & Inclusion - Join Jason Seegert 04, Chris Olson 03, David Atkins 00, Brian May 99, and Laurie Griffin 79 in supporting the McClain Center for Diversity and Inclusion Fund to provide enhanced student programming, leadership development opportunities, and more. They will match 1:1 the first $1,845 given to this fund.
1:1 Match - Study Away - John Hartje 70 and Carol Camper 70 believe in the power of study abroad and study away opportunities; their lives were both changed for the better because of their Witt-sponsored study abroad experiences as students! To celebrate #Commit2Witt, they will double your impact with a 1:1 match, up to $10,000, for donations made to ANY study away funds.
1:1 Match - Witt Fund - Ho Pak Kong 50 emeritus member of 泫圖弝けs Board of Directors, will match every donation to the Witt Fund, up to $40,000.
1:1 Match - Career Exploration & Outcomes - Having Light Campaign managing co-chair Janet E. Jackson 75 will match 1:1 up to $2,500 any donations made to the Career Outcomes & Exploration Fund, which provides all students with the opportunity for programming and access to career preparation, networking, and direct mentor support.
1:1 Match - Witt Opportunity Scholarship - Our alumni know the power of unrestricted scholarships. To celebrate #Commit2Witt, an anonymous donor will double your impact with a 1:1 match for the first $7,000 donated to the Witt Opportunity Scholarship Fund.
1:1 Match - Summer Student Research - The Duncans, Mary (Castle) and Phil, both Class of 1970, know how important hands-on experience can be. That's why they are providing a 1:1 Match for any gift to the Summer Student Research Fund, up to $2,000.
1:1 Match - Student Support - To celebrate Founder's Day, gifts made to the John C. Lobach Memorial Fund, an endowed fund that supports students with unexpected financial need, will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000, by Gary 70 and Rosanne Oatey.
1:1 Match Greek Life Happy Hour - The ATO brothers are dedicated to Greek Life on campus. To show their Witt Spirit on #Commit2Witt, they are offering a 1:1 match, up to $1,000, for ANY gifts to the Greek Life Fund during Happy Hour.
1:1 Match - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Witt alumni know the importance of building a diverse and inclusive culture in our community. That's why Having Light Campaign managing co-chair Janet E. Jackson 75 will match 1:1, up to $2,500, any donations made to the McClain Center Fund.
1:1 Match - Choir Director Endowment - Joan Rogers 60 is celebrating #Commit2Witt with a musical flair and a 1:1 match up to $2,000 for any gifts made to the 泫圖弝け Choir Director Endowment.
1:1 Match - Tiger Club Pride - Athletic Director Brian Agler 80 and his wife Robin challenge athletic alumni, sport fans, and student-athletes to Tiger Up. On #Commit2Witt they will match dollar-for-dollar all donations to the Unrestricted Tiger Club Fund, up to $3,000.
1:1 Match - Faculty Development - On #Commit2Witt, Dr. Henry Jud & Melinda Barnhardt Jud 65 celebrate Witt's excellent faculty with a 1:1 match, up to $1,000, for any gift in support of the Faculty Development Fund.
1:1 Match - Campus Stewardship - Vice President Rob Young knows campus embodies a history of joint effort. Now this place is ours to pass on, leaving it better than we found it. Join him today with a gift to the Campus Beautification Fund, and he will match it 1:1, up to $1,845.
1:1 Match - Men's Soccer - Tom Kaiser 79 challenges fellow alumni to Tiger Up! On #Commit2Witt, he is offering a 1:1 match for gifts made in support of Men's Soccer, up to $2,000.
1:1 Match - Faculty Support - Our alumni know firsthand the impact our outstanding faculty have on student learning and personal growth. Peggy Fox 67 and Ian MacNiven will provide a 1:1 match, up to $5,000, for donations made to the Faculty Compensation Support Fund.
1:1 Match Witt Fund BONUS MATCH - BONUS MATCH: Jonathan 93 and Suzanne Eilert 93 will match dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,500, any gift made to support the University's greatest need, the 泫圖弝け Fund.
1:1 Match Unrestricted Giving - Larry James 74 understands the importance of unrestricted giving. That's why to celebrate #Commit2Witt, he is offering a 1:1 match, up to $25,000, for any gift designated to the 泫圖弝け Fund.
1:1 Match 泫圖弝け Fund - To celebrate #Commit2Witt and to keep this party going, Cheryl Patterson Cooper 82 will match the next $5,000 to the 泫圖弝け Fund dollar-for-dollar in honor of her father Jim, who sent three children to Witt and was a longtime member of the Benjamin Prince Society.
1:1 Match Tiger Up! Witt Fund - Joining in on the fun of #Commit2Witt, Board of Directors member David Baines 69 is offering a 1:1 match for the next $2,000 donated to the Witt Fund. Tiger Up!
1:1 Match Campus Beautification - Steve 75 and Mary Alice Schryver Neely 75 love 泫圖弝けs historic campus. To kick off day two of #Commit2Witt, they challenge other alumni with a 1:1 match, up to $3,500, for any gifts made to the Campus Beautification Fund.
1:1 Match Final Countdown - As a producer and screenwriter, alumna Lauren Schmidt Hissrich 00 knows the importance of a memorable ending. That's why she is offering a $5,000 match for gifts made to the 泫圖弝け Fund as part of the FINAL COUNTDOWN for our 1845 Minutes of Giving.
1:1 Match Dinnertime Challenge - Dine & Donate! Join Business alumnus Bob Buchholtz 71 during the dinner hour, as he encourages alumni to give back, matching dollar-for-dollar, up to $3,600, any gift to the Witt Fund.
1:1 Match Student Access and Scholarships - Assistant Vice President for Advancement & Operations Kristina Devine, and her husband Paul, know the value of a Witt education and the impact a scholarship can make. To kick off day two of #Commit2Witt, they will march dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,000, any gifts made in support of the Witt Opportunity Scholarship Fund.
1:1 Match Experiential Learning - Alumni like Gina Schaefer 93 know the importance of providing students access to career outcome support. Gina will match gifts 1:1, up to $1,000, to support programming and access to career exploration, preparation, and networking opportunities.
#WittWed Challenge - #WittWed couple Scott 01 and Deanna Carlson Ness 99 share the LOVE about all things 泫圖弝け. To celebrate Founders Day, they will donate $1,845 when 311 #WittWed couples give a gift.
Provost Challenge - Faculty Support - 泫圖弝け faculty work tirelessly to support student learning. To help give them the opportunity to learn and grow as teacher-scholars, Provost Mattson will donate $1,845 when 20 gifts are made to the Faculty Development Fund!
Senior Class Challenge - When 22 graduating seniors make a gift as part of #Commit2Witt, Vice President Casey Gill will donate $1,845 to the Class of 2022's senior class gift tradition.
Class Participation Challenge - Vice President of Advancement & Alumni Relations Rebecca Kocher, and her husband Brad, love a little friendly competition. To celebrate #Commit2Witt and alumni participation, they will donate $2,500 in honor of the class with the most gifts at the end of our 1845 Minutes!
Alumni Board 50 States Challenge - The 泫圖弝け Alumni Board know that Witt alumni are the best. They will donate $1,845 when gifts are received from all 50 states on #Commit2Witt.
Alumni Board Emeriti Challenge - Former Alumni Association Board member and current Board of Directors member Stacy Rastauskas 98 will unlock $2,500 when 50 Alumni Board emeritus members make a gift.
Tiger Up: President's Challenge - To motivate and inspire the 泫圖弝け community to Tiger Up and give generously, President Frandsen and wife Sharon will donate $1 per minute during #Commit2Witt!
Proud Tiger Match Career Exploration - To celebrate day two of #Commit2Witt, an anonymous donor will match dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000, any donation made to the Career Exploration & Outcomes Fund.
Late-Night $10k Challenge - Our 1845 Minutes of Giving is still ticking, so Board of Directors member and California alumnus Bill Boggs 68 is issuing a late-night challenge. He will match 1:1 up to $10,000, any gift made while the rest of the country is asleep!
$1,845 x3 Challenge - To celebrate Founders Day, Board of Directors member Robert G. Merzweiler 76 is issuing three separate 1845 challenges: 1:1 Match up to $1,845 for donations made in the first 1845 seconds; $1,845 when we hit 1845 gifts; and a final $1,845 when we hit 3,000 gifts. That is a lot of Tiger spirit!
Lunchtime Match: Power Lunch for Tiger Club - What's your favorite power lunch? Ours is worth $1,845. From 12-2 p.m. ET, Board of Directors Chair Bill Edwards 89 will match dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,845, any donation made to the Tiger Club.
East Coast Challenge - Our 1845 Minutes of Giving is still ticking and Barbara Rankin 73 is issuing a challenge for those early risers! She will gift $2,500 to the Witt Fund if 50 East Coasters make a gift before the rest of the country wakes up!
1:1 Match - Rise Up! CBS Scholarship Fund - Rise Up! On #Commit2Witt, Board Emeriti member Ronald Woods '69 and his wife, Wendy '71, will generously match dollar for dollar the first $1,000 donated to the CBS Scholarship Fund.