Alumni and Friends Making an Impact

By Danielle Damon

Political science graduate Emily Kaylor ’13 was born and raised in Dayton, but calls Columbus her new home. Emily knew she wanted to work in government after an internship with UD’s Statehouse Civic Scholars Program. It was this unique opportunity — combined with continuous support from UD faculty — that set Emily on the career path of her dreams. Now Emily is a member of Front Porch Society. FPS is a group of donors who have given a gift — of any size — for at least three consecutive years. Read on to learn more about why Emily gives.

Young alumni don’t often consider giving a gift while they are still paying off student loans, building a career, etc. What are your thoughts about giving early in your career?

The University of Dayton is a special community and it's only that special community because UD students are given opportunities that other universities don’t offer. The only reason the University can offer those opportunities is because of alumni support. Even if you can only give $10 or $20, those things can add up. When you think about our alumni network and how many people graduate every year, if all those people gave $10, that’s a lot of money.

I don’t give back as much as a graduate 30 plus years out does, but I think it’s important to give what you can. I’m still paying student loans and I’ve got rent and bills to pay, too, but I think it's important to just give a little back every year because UD was such an important experience and really put my career on the trajectory that I wanted it to go.

I look at it as I’m not going to buy a Starbucks coffee this week, but instead I’m going to give back to the University that set me on this career path that allows me to pay off my student loans quickly because I am in a job that pays well due to my education and experience.

Why do you give?

I give back to the Statehouse Civic Scholars Program and the College of Arts and Sciences because those programs are the reason I am where I am today. I wouldn't be in Columbus working in state government without the internship program, and the only reason I could do the program was because I was provided housing and a stipend. It’s a really awesome, unique experience and I hope my money will support other students on endeavors they might not otherwise be able to do.

Why do you continue to give each year?

The University’s resources are still there for us. As an alumnus I can still call my professors and Career Services and I know they can help me move forward in my career. I view it as I’m giving back to continue to use those resources that the University provides to help me.

What would you say to a young alumni thinking about giving for the first time this giving day (April 10)?  

I would ask, “Would you be where you are without the University of Dayton and your experiences there?” If I had to answer that question for myself, I would say no. I believe life is a series of defining moments and the choices that you make, like where you choose to go to school, set you up for life. I think the choice to go to UD is what sent me on this life path and therefore I think I owe something to them.

After they make their first gift. Why should they continue giving?

I would ask them, “Why stop?” If you are motivated and think it’s important enough to give that first time, then why is it not important enough to give the second, third, or 100th time. The needs of the students and University don’t end after one gift.