Day of Giving exceeds fundraising goal

Baker University’s annual Day of Giving, held on April 4, raised $162,656, surpassing the university’s $150,000 goal. Through the one-day, online event, the Baker community made gifts to support academics, the President’s Vision Fund, School of Nursing, athletics, fraternity and sorority life, the Rice Auditorium renovation, and graduate studies.

The funds raised directly affect the university’s ability to support its tradition of academic excellence and providing opportunities that define the Baker experience. “Engaged and motivated, our alumni, friends, and family continue to have a real impact on the Baker University student experience,” said Nate Houser, ’94, ’23 MBA, associate vice president of advancement and senior advisor for inclusion.

Newly named president of Baker University, Dr. Jody Fournier, who will assume his role on July 1, participated in the event. “His gift was perfectly timed in the late afternoon and took us over the $150,000 threshold—a purposeful first action to take since accepting his new position,” Houser said.

Since its inception in 2017, Day of Giving has raised well over $700,000 for university needs through the gifts of 1,442 donors.

“Baker’s Day of Giving has become synonymous with significant occasions for Baker: Convocation, Homecoming, Vespers, Founder’s Day, Alumni Weekend, Commencement, and now Baker Day of Giving,” said President Hoot Gibson, ’73. “To our alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends, I deeply appreciate all that you do for this exceptional university, which holds such a special place in my heart.”