1 Purpose. 1 Drive. 1 Milligan.
Milligan College’s Buff Nation, from near and far, were able to take part in Wednesday’s Special Day of Giving as part of the school’s Buffalo Drive — an initiative to raise $400,000 for student scholarships.
While the Buffalo Drive is still cruising down the road until May 31, Wednesday provided the opportunity for students and past Milligan graduates to take part in the project.
“We are raising support for students’ scholarships,” Jack Simpson, Milligan vice president for institutional advancement, said. “We have a generous donor that gave us $50,000 with a challenge to get 426 donors on a single day. We’ve had students giving, alumni from all over the country that are participating. It’s a special 24-hour event that kicked off at midnight this morning and is set to end tonight at 11:59 p.m.”
Simpson was just one of the multiple members of the college’s Institutional Advancement staff that posted up right past the entrance of the school. The faculty had a tent set up that allowed students to participate in different activities, receive refreshments and give a little to the cause.
Teaching philanthropy is an important key to their drive, Simpson said.
“It’s important that students realize this starts with them,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of students that came out and gave modest amounts. There have been a few dollar donations, there’s one student that emptied their pockets and gave 12 cents … and that’s great. Everything counts toward helping us meet our goal today.
“Now they get a chance to see how small donations can make such a big difference,” he added.
In the coming days, supporters of the college will still have a chance to contribute to the Milligan Fund to help the school achieve their $400,000 goal.
In mere hours Wednesday, 215 donors were able to contribute more than $124,939. A final total was not available prior to the Elizabethton Star’s press deadline. Various challenges were presented during the day — fun challenges between schools on campus and friendly wagers on which class could raise the most funds.
Buffalos that were unable to get involved still have a little over a month to make an impact. Possible donors can visit support.milligan.edu/buffalodrive online to make a monetary donation to the Milligan Fund. The link also provides a chance for the public to donate to the Emmanuel Seminary Fund to help with scholarship opportunities.
Current, past and future Buffalos are also encouraged to share the Milligan Pride online during the weeks by visiting Milligan College’s Facebook and Twitter accounts online.