Looking back on 10 years of Day of Giving
From fewer than 50 donors in 2016 to more than 1,000 donors by 2025, Bridgewater College is celebrating 10 years of coming together for the annual Day of Giving on April 8, 2026.
Annual giving days, such as Bridgewater’s, are a popular fundraising initiative for colleges, providing an opportunity to highlight and encourage participation from the broader community.
“The rise in donor participation over the last 10 years is exactly what a Day of Giving is supposed to achieve. Whether someone gives $5 or $500, these gifts over the last decade have provided meaningful resources for Bridgewater College students,” said Tyler Bradley M’21, Senior Director of Donor Engagement.
Kristin Young ’05, who gave during the first Day of Giving in 2016 and has consistently supported BC, said, “It’s an opportunity to give collectively and to show that there is such a great alumni network doing something all on one day to help our campus.”
A member of the BC Alumni Association Board of Directors who is also Chief Advancement Officer for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte, Young is proud of her Bridgewater education and passionate about calling attention to the school she loves.
Dean of the Rhodes School of Arts and Humanities Dr. Betsy Hayes appreciates the enthusiasm of alumni like Young. “Our students and alumni are so committed,” she said. “It makes a huge difference.”
As a result of support from donors on Day of Giving, the Rhodes School can provide additional opportunities for their students. Whether it’s hosting dinners with visiting speakers for the Pre-Law Society, bringing special events into sociology or English classrooms, or sending students to the intercollegiate Model UN conference in New York City, the funds from Day of Giving allow the College to support student research and travel, among many other opportunities.
Matches and Challenges
“Matches and challenges play a critical role in the momentum for Day of Giving and have elevated the success of Day of Giving throughout the years,” said Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Tammy Loy Steele ‘99. She explained that when gifts are doubled or additional funds are unlocked due to the level of donor support, it gives participants a sense of excitement and a feeling that they can directly impact the BC experience.
This year one of those opportunities is a trip to Rome for the Screamin’ Eagles Marching Band and Bridgewater College Concert Choir over the New Year’s holiday. A generous alumna, Judy Henneberger ’64, will match all gifts to the Music Department Rome Trip, up to $25,000, to support the opportunity for BC students to sing in historic basilicas and march in the Rome New Year’s Day parade.
Supporting Students
Senior class officers Mackenzie Buckley ’26 and Meredith Scheiner ’26 are looking forward to their senior class challenge. The senior class gift will support the refresh of BC mascot Ernie the Eagle, one of the key projects for the 2026 Day of Giving.
“I hope this Day of Giving can kickstart the class’s connection with one another,” Buckley said. The senior class president and health and exercise major hopes to carry forward the legacy of helping future students, while taking advantage of an opportunity for camaraderie and fun.
Senior class secretary Scheiner, a professional writing major, shared how important scholarship funding has been to her. “I’m extremely grateful—I wouldn’t be here without it,” she said.
Biochemistry major Saron Enyew ’26 also said the support from scholarships enabled her to be at Bridgewater. A senior resident advisor, she appreciates all the connections she’s made during her time at BC. “At a bigger school, the professors wouldn’t know my name—I have so many mentors here,” she said.
Engaging All Alumni
BC trustee Justin Pruett ’05 sees Day of Giving as a great opportunity to engage younger alumni and help them stay connected to the College. “I love a friendly competition,” he said.
Pruett believes the competition among classes, teams and clubs provides a great opportunity to reconnect and create a habit of giving. A Director of Claims and Litigation for Ascension Healthcare, Pruett has given to Bridgewater every year since 2005, starting the day before he graduated. Days like this are “a communal way of expressing gratitude and appreciation for an institution that has done so much for me,” he said.
The Annual Giving team is excited to launch the next phase of Bridgewater College’s Day of Giving, “One Day. Every Eagle.” Bradley said the call to action reflects a commitment to broadening participation and reinforcing that every member of the BC community plays a role in supporting student success.
“On April 8, join us in building the future of BC at bridgewater.edu/dayofgiving,” he said.
One Day. Every Eagle.
– Olivia Shifflett
4/1/26
