President's Blog: From the Heart

By Eric F. Spina

Talk about Flyer love!

Some University of Dayton students are using their mini-spring break day on April 14 to fly #1Day1Dayton porch sheets, run a personal 5K, and tweet their love for their school.

On UD’s Giving Day, they will help rally the Flyer Faithful in an ambitious effort to secure 3,700 gifts of any size over just 24 hours. Along with alumni around the world, faculty, and staff, they have one message — participation matters. When Flyers join forces, we can make a lasting impact, no matter the size of the gift.

Han Le ‘21, like so many of our students, would not be able to pursue a UD degree without financial help. She’s passionate, bright, and engaging — and I can’t wait to see the mark she makes on the world.

“Donor gifts have made it possible for me to attend the University of Dayton,” says Han, who is double majoring in marketing and entrepreneurship. “Through the Flyer Promise Scholarship program, my advisers have prepared me for success. They have taught me and others about all the resources UD has to offer and provided advice when we have needed it. My cohort is also my first group of friends at UD, and our relationship makes UD feel like home.”

When we started the Flyer Promise Scholars program four years ago, we made a commitment to high-achieving, underserved students. With the help of institutional aid and generous private support, we promised that we would eliminate the financial barriers they faced in attending UD and support them in fulfilling their dream of a college degree. Today, of the 42 students in the first class, 40 are on the cusp of graduation. Overall, the program boasts a remarkable 99 percent retention rate.

Flyer Promise is but one shining example of how gifts open the doors of opportunity and support student success. Beyond scholarships, gifts help fund experiential learning opportunities, physical and mental health resources, or any of a number of programs that help all of our students learn and thrive.

Rhyan Pearson ’21 will join Han and a team of One Day, One Dayton volunteers in building excitement and encouraging others to support the school they love.

“Gifts, of any size, contribute to the Flyer spirit and make UD’s community shine, both on and off campus,” says Rhyan, a program coordinator in the Office of Experiential Learning and international studies major.

Let’s shine, Flyer Nation.