Contact: Jack Bailey Jbaile19@wvstateu.edu (304) 766-4109
INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia State University (WVSU) is hosting an historic Day of Giving Challenge on March 17 to provide additional financial assistance for its students while also raising funds to support academic programs.
During the past year, more than half of all WVSU students received scholarships, loans and grant support. Without these financial resources many students would not be able to continue their education.
“We know there is a real need among our students for additional financial assistance, and we are actively working to help as many students as we can reach their dreams of a college education,” said Patricia Schumann, vice president for university advancement and president of the WVSU Foundation. “With our Day of Giving Challenge our goal is to raise $300,000 in donations, making it the single largest one-day fundraising event in the university’s history.”
In addition to supporting scholarships, funds raised during the Day of Giving Challenge will also go to support expanding academic program offerings as well as the university’s athletic teams.
“With the help of generous corporate and foundation support we have been able to expand our academic offerings in fields like nursing and to further increase investment in programs that serve the critical STEM fields,” Schumann said. “And support of our athletic programs and our student-athletes helps ensure a vibrant and active campus life. Our Day of Giving Challenge will put the university in a strong position to carry out our mission of not only serving our students, but also the state and region.”
The Day of Giving Challenge is being hosted on the university’s Founders Day. Authorized by the U.S. Congress as a land-grant institution under the Second Morrill Act of 1890, the West Virginia Legislature established WVSU, on March 17, 1891, to provide education to African American citizens.
The WVSU Foundation and university are using traditional mail, email and social media to spread the word to alumni and supporters about this special day. An online donation page has been set up at for people to make a gift online.
For more information on the Day of Giving Challenge or giving to WVSU, contact Patricia Schumann at (304) 766-3021 or .
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