USA 24-Hour Giving Day Set for March 22

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Posted on March 19, 2018

Joy Washington

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It’s time to give and #WeAreSouthProud will be the theme for the energized inaugural 24-hour “Giving Day” fundraising campaign at the University of South Alabama.

The USA Office of Development is asking everyone to make their online gifts from 12 a.m.-11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, via the South Alabama website at www.southalabama.edu/giveday.

“We are going to bring everyone together for one day of giving. It’s going to be powerful and meaningful for South,” noted Margaret Sullivan, vice president for development and alumni relations. “Raising money for the University is the obvious point of having this event. But, more importantly, we want everyone to participate and give whatever they can. It could be $5, $500 or $5,000 or more. We invite everyone to give on this one day to support South Alabama.”

All USA campuses will participate, including the main campus, Baldwin County campus and USA Health, including the USA Physicians Group, USA Medical Center, USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital and the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute.

"We are all, regardless of what jobs we do, working together to elevate the University," said Dr. Tony Waldrop, University president. "This day of giving is a way for you to share your support of USA by giving to something at the University that is important to you."

When making the desired gifts, donors will be able to choose and give to the following four areas:

• Student Success
• Excellence in Health Care
• Athletics
• MacQueen Alumni Center

The vice president of the Student Government Association at South and a recipient of several scholarships, biomedical sciences major Elizabeth Hernandez of Hayden, Ala., fully understands the need for a day of giving.

“Giving to South is important because we are a quickly growing university that provides quality to many,” she said. “By sacrificing a cup of coffee today, your donation of $5 could be matched and potentially provide scholarship opportunities to students here at South Alabama.”

Hernandez is currently a Whiddon Honors Scholar, and she received the Graciela G. Blanco Scholarship from the modern and classical languages and literature department in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Dr. James W. Green Pre-Med Scholarship and the T.G. Jackson Scholarship from the Zeta Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Society.

“When I graduate in May, the scholarships will have given me the opportunity to attend college debt-free,” she said. “This is what giving can do to help students who are in need of financial support.”

These specific USA Giving Day matching gifts and challenges have been created:

• Dr. Michael Finan, director of the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, and Dr. Lewis K. Pannell, professor of oncologic services, are making a combined $100,000 pledge to the MCI Fund for Excellence and will match all gifts to MCI up to $100,000;
• USA National Alumni Association will match gifts to the Julian and Kim MacQueen Alumni Center up to $100,000;
• Gifts to the USA Medical Alumni Association will be matched up to $10,000;
• Gifts to The Southerners will be matched up to $500;
• Gifts to STAT (Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow) will be matched up to $200;
• Gifts to the USA Black Alumni Society will be matched up to $250; and
• Gifts to the new Jon Lieber Baseball Clubhouse will be matched up to $31,350, thanks to matching gifts from Skipper Walters and John Bassett.

Sullivan said dedicated giving days are popular around the country with other universities having great success in building engagement and support. Individuals who would like to support South Alabama on March 22 are encouraged to give and then post the hashtag #WeAreSouthProud on social media. 

“What we know is there is an excitement around South Alabama,” Sullivan said. “The community appreciates South and South needs the community. There’s no amount too small. We invite everyone to engage and give.”

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