野狼社区 University set a number of TrueBlueOCU Giving Day records on Thursday, blasting past the previous marks for funds raised and total donors on the school鈥檚 annual fundraising day.
OCU supporters donated $605,121 on Thursday, besting the university鈥檚 $600,000 goal and surpassing the previous high of $541,561, which was raised during the 2025 edition of Giving Day.
The funds will directly support students, scholarships and improvements at the university.
This year鈥檚 funds were generated by 1,511 donors. That marks a nearly 25% increase from the previous record of 1,210 set during the 2024 Giving Day.
OCU President Kenneth Evans said the campus community is inspired by the support of each donor who contributed.
鈥淲e are grateful for everyone who believes in this university and stepped up this year to demonstrate that belief and commitment in such a meaningful way,鈥� Evans said.
Support for Giving Day came from a variety of stakeholders. Alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends of the university all contributed.
Funds were earmarked for every school and college, for Athletics and Student Affairs.
The annual Dean鈥檚 Challenge saw Dean Julia Montag from the School of Theatre and Bass School of Music lead the way in total donors with 259, and Dean Melanie Shelley with the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment top the charts in funds raised with more than $45,000.
In Athletics, competitive pom led all teams with 120 donors, while the men鈥檚 basketball team garnered more than $50,000 in gifts.
New this year were timed challenges throughout the day aimed at increasing participation and funds raised. Members of the OCU Board of Trustees provided gifts in the form of prize money for the winning schools and areas at the end of each challenge. Among the winners for this challenge were the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and the dance, music and theatre schools.
This year鈥檚 Giving Day spanned all corners of the United States, with gifts from 45 out of the 50 states. It鈥檚 the highest participation on a state-by-state basis in the history of Giving Day. Oklahoma led the way with nearly 1,000 donors, while Texas was the next highest state with just shy of 100 contributors.
The day also featured an international flair, with donations arriving from Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Latvia and Russia.
Evans said he thanks donors who created matching challenges, and those who volunteered to act as advocates and rally support among their own networks.
鈥淥ur friends and supporters stepped up to the plate in a meaningful way,鈥� Evans said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 see this type of success without a total team effort.鈥�
He also wished to extend gratitude to the staff in the Office of University Advancement, who worked behind the scenes to bring Giving Day to life.
Koby Harrington, vice president of Advancement for OCU, said his department is grateful for the student callers who volunteered throughout the day to connect with alumni; alumni who helped spread the word; and the donors who showed their support to the university.
鈥淥ur Giving Day results reinforce the idea that our community of alumni and supporters care about this university and its students,鈥� Harrington said. 鈥淲e know the future is bright at OCU, and this is a testament to the fact that our community shares this belief.鈥�
