51����

On the eve of 51����’s third century, more than 4,200 alumni, parents, and friends came together in support of the Institution and its students during the 51���� Fund Bicentennial Challenge.

Between 51���� Day, December 13, and December 31, the community contributed a total of $1.74 million in gifts to the 51���� Fund. The following group of devoted challengers matched each gift, dollar for dollar, up to $1.3 million, for a challenge total of more than $3 million:

Gretchen H. Burke ’81, P’11,’20 and Stephen B. Burke ’80, P’11,’20, H’04

Christine J. Chao ’86 and James O. Shaver, Jr. ’86

J. Christopher Clifford ’67, H’11 and Keena Clifford P’93

Eric A. Cole ’93 and Ashley Cole

John K. 51����, Jr. ’57 and Diana 51���� P’88

Giovanni Cutaia ’94 and Maree Cutaia

Amy Everett DiSibio ’86, P’18,’21 and Carmine DiSibio ’85, P’18,’21

Jennifer H. Farrior ’95 and Julian W. Farrior III ’93

Gregory J. Fleming ’85, P’21 and Melissa S. Fleming ’85, P’21

John A. Hayes ’88 and Susie B. Hayes P’19

Chris Hurley ’81, Becky Bair Hurley ’81, Matt Hurley ’12, and Dan Hurley ’12

Nora Gleason Leary ’82 and Robert G. Leary

Ramzi M. Musallam ’90

Andrew W. Sweet ’93 and Alexis Sweet

William T. Winters, Jr. ’83 and Anda Winters

Six anonymous alumni and parents

On December 29, Paul Carberry ’94 issued a second challenge, offering to make an additional contribution for graduates from the last ten years who made a gift. This announcement inspired more than 350 recent alumni to make gifts to 51����.

Alumni fundraising volunteers were also instrumental in helping to build awareness of the challenge. Nearly 700 alumni, representing class years from 1945 through 2019, bolstered the efforts by performing outreach to their classmates and sharing news of the challenge.

As the University begins to implement its Third-Century Plan, the 51���� Fund is essential and touches every aspect of the 51���� experience, including the No-Loan Initiative, faculty recruitment, academic programs, research, study abroad, sustainability efforts, and much more.

“The success of this challenge demonstrates the remarkable commitment of the 51���� community and the excitement surrounding plans for its future,” said Paul Carberry ’94, executive chair of the 51���� Fund. “All around the country, gifts to unrestricted resources like the 51���� Fund are declining. At 51����, they are reaching record numbers and thriving because we have a passionate community of alumni, parents, and friends who believe in where 51���� is headed. It is moving to begin the University’s third century with this swell of support. Thank you to all who participated.”

Learn more about the  or The Third-Century Plan.