ALLIANCE, Ohio – The University of Mount Union’s inaugural day of giving, titled “Raiders Give,” was a resounding success on Thursday, April 5 due to the generosity of hundreds of Mount Union alumni and friends. 

In total, the event raised $201,743 from an incredible 618 donors for The Mount Union Fund, which supports student scholarships, technology, and other critical student needs across Mount Union’s campus. 

Donors had the opportunity to give for 24 hours beginning at midnight on April 5. More than $2,000 was donated in the first hour of the event, and gifts were still being processed until 11:59 p.m. Of the 330 alumni who donated, the graduating class of 2011 led the way with 22 donors, followed closely behind by the classes of 2016 and 2017, respectively. 

The goal of $150,000 set by the Office of University Advancement was surpassed before 3 p.m. EST thanks to the Trustee Challenge. The challenge was that a group of Mount Union Board of Trustee members and their spouses would match every donation, dollar for dollar, up to $75,000. That group consisted of Jim ’84 and Denise Costanzo, Jim and Vanita (Bauknight ’63) Oelschlager, Mike ’83 and Karen Parnell, Joel ’78 and Kathy (Johnson ’79) Sassa, and Marcus ’88 and Celena (Holmes ’86) Smith. Board member Jim Costanzo ’84 also contributed a $10,000 gift once 500 donors were tallied.

To make a gift to The Mount Union Fund, visit alumni.mountunion.edu/giving.