Alumni and Friends Making an Impact

During April’s One Day, One Dayton — the most successful annual giving day in school history — 6,634 Flyers were inspired by nearly $850,000 in matching and challenge gifts to raise $2.2 million to support current and future Flyers.

“Campus was definitely excited for One Day, One Dayton,” said Jen Foster, executive director for UD’s Office of Annual Giving. “Watching our current students lead all classes in the number of gifts from the beginning of the day until midnight shows a real growth and understanding of what a vibrant culture of philanthropy at UD can do for our students and community.”

The day began with a $50,000 milestone gift established by Matt McNamara ’09, the youngest Flyer to establish a matching or challenge gift. McNamara said that he’d make his generous donation if 1,850 others would make a gift of any size by 10 a.m. The community responded by blowing past the milestone shortly after 9 a.m.

The goal for the day was 4,000 donors, and Larry ’76 and Rosemari Woerner offered a $100,000 gift if the community reached the goal by midnight. UD celebrated the achievement and learned that the matching gifts weren’t done for the day when two anonymous donors from the Class of ’68 announced that they would also support UD with a $100,000 gift if the community could reach 5,300 gifts before midnight. Their gift provided a lift to the late-day momentum and helped UD establish a record-breaking giving day.

Throughout the day, matching gifts also helped people make a bigger impact for the university they love. Margie ’68 and Bill ’68 Klesse led the way by offering matching gifts to support UD student-athletes, the School of Engineering, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Overall, the Klesse’s matched $150,000 in Flyer gifts that day.

“Our supporters and advocates are amazing,” said Foster. “These are community leaders who understand the value UD has added to their lives and, more important, they are passionate about providing the same opportunities to current and future Flyers.”

Flyers from all 50 states supported UD on giving day. The largest percentage of supporters made their gift to the UD Fund, and many targeted their gift to a specific area that they wanted to support.

Dave ’75 and Julia ’76 Troppoli Yeager chose to assist Campus Ministry with a matching gift and a challenge gift. The Yeager’s challenged 250 people to donate to Campus Ministry, and when that challenge was met added $25,000. They also offered a matching gift of $25,000 that helped Campus Ministry raise nearly $90,000 during One Day, One Dayton.

Everywhere you turned on campus, you witnessed generosity and passion for UD community. In a specific effort to encourage new donors, one anonymous Flyer from the Class of ’69 created the New Crew Challenge with a $25,000 gift. This challenge set a goal of 500 new donors, and the UD community more than doubled it!

“We are so thankful for every single participant,” said Foster. “One Day, One Dayton capitalizes on this power of collective giving to further advance our Catholic, Marianist mission and empower our graduates to learn, lead and serve for life.”

One Day, One Dayton 2022 Milestone, Challenge and Matching Gift Donors:

Milestone and Unlocking Challenges
1850 Challenge: Matt McNamara ’09 — $50,000
4000 Challenge: Larry ’76 and Rosemari Woerner — $100,000
5300 Challenge: Anonymous ’68 and anonymous ’68 — $100,000
New Crew Challenge: Anonymous ’69 — $25,000
Just for Students Challenge: Anonymous ’15 — $15,000

Matching Gifts
Jane Dunwoodie — $10,000
Matt Lambiase ’88 — $10,000
Kathy ’68 and John McKeon ’68 — $15,000
UD Alumni Association Board — $25,000
Dave ’75 and Julia ’76 Troppoli Yeager — $25,000
Anonymous ’77 and anonymous ’78 — $30,000
Winsupply — $35,000
Margie ’68 and Bill Klesse ’68 — $150,000

Challenge Gifts
Kathy ’68 and John McKeon ’68 — $15,000
Lisa Rich-Milan ’85 — $10,000
Dave ’75 and Julia Troppoli Yeager ’76 — $25,000
Parent Leadership Council — $45,500
Anonymous ’77 and anonymous ’78 — $50,000
Engineering Advisory Council — $91,900