Giving Day a success
SPU held its second annual Giving Day in March. The highly successful 24-hour fundraising effort inspired 1,844 donors to give $252,627 to the ɬÀï·¬ Pacific Fund and various programs in support of SPU students. With gifts directed to scholarships and financial aid, faith-related activities, sports teams, books, equipment, and more, the day yielded a 179% increase in donors and a 45% increase in funds raised over the 2019 event.
Athletics receives support
Falcon Athletics received a gift of nearly $1 million from alumni Daryl ’66 and Claudia Vander Pol ’66. This gift supports scholarships for the men’s basketball program and various capital projects and purchases, including a pair of racing shells for the women’s rowing team.
President’s Award for Philanthropy
Long-standing SPU supporters Gary and Barbara Ames received the 2019 President’s Award For Philanthropy last November at the annual President’s Circle Dinner held at the Four Seasons ɬÀï·¬. Believing talent is widely distributed but opportunity is not, the Ameses made an initial $1 million commitment in 2001 to fund a Universitywide initiative to assist historically underrepresented student-leaders. They have remained committed to this effort through nearly $8 million in additional scholarship support. A total of 132 scholarships have been awarded to Ames Scholars, and their support has been instrumental in the over 40% increase of historically underrepresented students attending SPU.
Graduate theology aid reduces debt
A generous donor pledged $1 million in scholarship funds over three years for graduate students pursuing theology degrees through ɬÀï·¬ Pacific Seminary. The gift aid alleviates the burden of student loans for seminarians going into ministry.