Students at the center

Even when he’s up late studying in the library, senior mechanical engineering major Jalen Reed doesn’t feel alone.

“It goes a long way knowing someone supports you even if they don’t personally know you,” he said. 

Reed can tick off a list of opportunities he’s had thanks to donors, including an Ethos immersion to Guatemala and participation in the Multi-Ethnic Engineers Program, which provides scholarship, networking, mentorship and community-building opportunities. 

Both are funded in part by donations made during One Day, One Dayton, UD’s annual giving day that supports the We Soar campaign. 

Donors have given $13,661,148 during One Day, One Dayton since it began in 2019 to support student success. It helps students fly even higher, with opportunities for communication majors to network with alumni in Hollywood or first-year students to gain leadership skills and mentorship experiences.  

Among the initiatives being championed during
1D1D 2025 — on April 9 — will be the new Health and Wellbeing Center, a project that responds to significant increases in student demand for physical and mental health services. The Parent Leadership Council is matching every dollar donated up to $100,000.

Also featured will be Flyer Promise, which helps high-achieving, underserved students from lower incomes excel at UD. Special attention will be given to establishing a donor-funded endowment to support advising, academic enrichment, mentoring, leadership, study abroad and other opportunities. 

As always, unrestricted funds will be a high priority during 1D1D, helping the University support areas of greatest need. Strong support for the UD Fund ensures UD can continue to carry out the institution’s mission in a sustainable way for the benefit of all students.

Reed says he can see donor support in the experiences students are having, and he can feel the support as he completes his time at UD. 

“When I’m in the library, it’s 11 p.m., and I’m like, ‘Do I really want to get this assignment done?’ I think about all of the people trusting in me and believing in me, and it gives me what I need to keep going.”