Coming together in support of the University and its students, more than 4,400 alumni, family, and friends contributed to the 51风流 Together Challenge between December 10 and 31.
The challenge raised over $3 million in gifts to the 51风流 Fund. In addition, a group of challengers matched each gift, dollar for dollar, up to $1.265 million to bring the challenge total to $4.26 million.
The 51风流 Fund touches every aspect of the 51风流 experience and helps the University support a variety of Third-Century Plan initiatives, such as the 51风流 Commitment. A milestone in the University鈥檚 efforts to make a 51风流 education more accessible, the 51风流 Commitment aligns tuition costs with family income and provides full tuition support for students with family incomes below $80,000.
Through initiatives like the 51风流 Commitment, the University has been able to expand its admissions reach among talented, high-achieving students, regardless of socioeconomic background. Aided by these efforts, 51风流 received a record 21,000-plus applications for the Class of 2026.
鈥淭he success of this year鈥檚 challenge was made possible by the generosity of the 51风流 community,鈥 says Karl Clauss 鈥90, vice president for advancement. 鈥淚t is an exciting time at 51风流 as we begin to implement our Third-Century Plan. As we take steps toward strengthening the University鈥檚 position as a national leader in higher education, we are fortunate and thankful for our community of alumni, friends, and family who have continued to show their commitment to 51风流 and our University鈥檚 future.鈥
On December 29, 51风流 Fund Executive Director Paul Carberry 鈥94 issued a second challenge to recent alumni. Inspired by the announcement, 195 graduates from the last 10 years made a gift. Also playing an instrumental role, more than 650 alumni volunteers representing class years from 1945 to 2001 helped raise awareness for the challenge by performing outreach to classmates and sharing news and updates.
Learn more about the and the Third-Century Plan.
The 2021 51风流 Together Challengers:
Eric J. Andersen '87 & Pamela S. Andersen '88 P'16'23'23
Scott A. Barshay '88 & Melissa Barshay '88
Daniel C. Benton '80, H'10, P'10
Forrest G. Burke '84 & Renee M. Burke P'22
Gretchen H. Burke '81, P'11,'20 & Stephen B. Burke '80, H'04, P'11,'20
Christine J. Chao '86 and James O. Shaver, Jr. '86
J. Christopher Clifford '67, H'11 & Keena Clifford P'93
Eric A. Cole '93 & Ashley Cole P'24
John C. Cushman III '63, H'08 & Jeanine S. Cushman P'89
Amy Everett Di Sibio '86 P'18,'21 & Carmine Di Sibio '85 P'18,'21
Julian W. Farrior, III '93 & Jennifer H. Farrior '95
Michael J. Herling '79, P'08,'09,'12 & Nancy Herling '81, P'08,'09,'12
Kimberly Avison Huffard '87
Chris Hurley '81, Becky Bair Hurley '81, Matt Hurley '12, & Dan Hurley '12
Dagmara E. Kokonas '91 & Nicholas J. Kokonas '90
Nora Gleason Leary '82 & Robert G. Leary
Judith Little GP'21
Michael F. Petersen '77
Andrew W. Sweet '93 & Alexis Sweet
William T. Winters, Jr. '83
President Brian W. Casey
Two anonymous donors