Today@Sam Article

Bearkat Power on Full Display: Giving Day Surpasses All Expectations

April 25, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd

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The second annual Sam Houston State University Giving Day fundraising initiative has met and exceeded expectations once again, raising $306,478 from approximately 1,026 donors, with gifts continuing to come in. 

SHSU Giving Day, held on April 22 & 23, marked a historic moment as the university rallied its community to support its mission. Honoring 1879, SHSU’s founding date, generous alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends came together for one day, eight hours, seven minutes and nine seconds to make a lasting impact on the university's future.

For the second annual Giving Day, Bearkat supporters across the globe came together online to make a difference and support their favorite college, program, scholarship or university initiative. This year’s campaign marked an increase in support for the university with approximately 286 more gifts raising $67,721 more than last year’s inaugural campaign.  

“Our Giving Day has been truly extraordinary,” said Matt Bethea, vice president for University Advancement. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible outpouring of support from our alumni and friends. Their generosity is a powerful testament to their unwavering belief in SHSU’s mission and the bright future of our students. Thanks to this collective spirit, we’re rising together—opening doors, changing lives and making sure every Bearkat can soar through the life-changing power of education.”

The volume of responses to Giving Day also increased, with friends of Sam across 42 states showing their support for the university.

  • Texas was this year’s top donor state, with Florida and California in the top three.
  • There were over 25 giving challenges and donation match initiatives.
  • The top three areas supported on Giving Day were Athletics, the College of Business Administration and the Alumni Association. A total of 24 participating departments, colleges and funds received support.

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The continued success SHSU’s Day of Giving highlights the generous spirits that define the Bearkat community. The philanthropic nature of the university’s leadership and alumni base has remained the event’s key to success as they established and participated in even more challenges and donation-matching that engaged and amplified the contributions of fellow donors than last year. Additionally, Bearkats from across campus and beyond bolstered support through encouraging social media messaging, with deans, directors and University President Alisa White hopping on Instagram to show her support.

Funds raised during Giving Day will go towards supporting a wide range of initiatives across the university, including scholarships, athletics, academic programs and more. By investing in these areas, donors are directly contributing to the continued success and growth of SHSU and its students.

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