by Brandon Clark | Contributor | bec2022@jagmail.southalabama.edu
Photo by: Andrew Bryant | Photographer
A Student Philanthropy Challenge for USA Giving Day was held outside the Student Center on April 6. Why is USA Giving Day so important to our students and the University?
“USA Giving Day began as an annual event in 2018 as a way to highlight philanthropic opportunities for alumni and friends of the University and USA Health,” said the Director of Communications for Development and Alumni Relations Julie Jackson. “The one-day event is now in its fifth year and has raised a total of more than $400,000 to support the University’s priorities such as student access and success and advancing healthcare.”
Jackson noted that the philanthropy challenge of this year was in fact a new addition to Giving Day. The Black Student Union (BSU), the Student Government Association (SGA) and Greek Life representatives were dunked to show support for their individual causes while gaining donors in the process.
Grace Sekaya, the SAG president explained that they were raising money for the University’s Jag Pantry.
“The Jag Pantry is by students, for students,” said Sekaya. “Within SGA, the student body remains the foundation of all that we do. As the JagPantry expands, we hope to raise enough funds that will support increased resources for our students.”
Kevin Culpepper, BSU’s Jag culture director and co-vice president, stated that he was raising money for the new Multicultural Leadership Center so that BSU could get new furniture and equipment for their new spaces.
Additionally, after getting dunked by President Jo Bonner, who came to show his support for the fundraiser, Brandon Tucker, graduate advisor for Fraternity & Sorority Life and Panhellenic Council Advisor, also said he was raising money for his respective organizations and “supporting them in any way I can.”
Over the course of only one hour, the Student Center event garnered 19 donors and raised around $79.
“The student philanthropy challenge exceeded its goal [at the end of the day] by achieving 222% participation and raising more than $1,000 for student-led projects,” said Jackson in an update.
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