One day, thousands of Flyers

“Today is #1Day1Dayton where I realized the opportunities I have had are the result of those before me,” sport management major Alex Reilly ’20 posted to Twitter April 10. “I now ask for your help so future Flyers can have the same opportunities.”

The University of Dayton has been providing opportunities to students like Reilly since 1850. On UD’s inaugural giving day, the University set out to raise an ambitious 1,850 gifts — of any size — in 24 hours.

It reached that goal before noon and proceeded to nearly triple it. Final tally was $866,284 given by 5,638 supporters.

“Flyer Nation, you came together for the next generation of Flyers, showing a selflessness & love for your UD home & her people that is stunning,” tweeted President Eric F. Spina. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!”

Throughout the day, challenge matches surged participation, thanks to donations from the UD Alumni Association board, Fred Tenover ’76 and Lisa Tenover, Kevin Tarrant ’79, Bob Kohorst ’75 and Shelly Allen, Matt Lambiase ’88, and an anonymous donor. Giving was driven primarily by social media, with help from 85 social media ambassador volunteers who shared what UD means to them.

The Front Porch Society — UD’s club for donors who give for three or more consecutive years — grew by 279 members on giving day.

Current students took the pilot’s seat on giving day; the Classes of 2019-22 were among the top-five performing class years. In fact, the Class of 2020 donated more than any other class, and nine out of the 10 classes with the most donors consisted of young alumni.

But it was never about a dollar amount. #1Day1Dayton was about joining together as One Dayton to ensure the door will always be held open for the next generation of Flyers. The day also showed that the community, from first-year students to Golden Flyers, understands that giving back is an important vote for UD.

“I chose to donate because UD changed my life,” pre-physical therapy graduate Ellie Wenzinger ’18 wrote on Facebook. “Campus Ministry and the School of Education and Health Sciences gave me many opportunities to grow both academically and in my faith. I cannot thank everyone who was a part of my UD journey enough.”

In the words of a tweet sent by operations and supply management major Jillian DeWitt ’20, “There is no place quite like UD.”