Campaign’s success underscores dedication and loyalty of the Cowboy family

Friday, September 13, 2024

Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | editor@okstate.edu

Once again, Oklahoma State University's annual day of giving exceeded expectations, raising an impressive $1,373,282 from 2,416 donors. Held April 2-3, Give Orange 2024 saw remarkable participation from the Cowboy family, showcasing their support for OSU.

An important component of this year's success was the collective generosity of the OSU Foundation Board of Governors, a group of alumni and friends dedicated to supporting the university. Their giving generated $424,600 from 1,867 donors, benefiting 306 OSU funds. 

Give Orange ambassadors — passionate members of the OSU community who play a crucial role in inspiring donations — elevated the campaign’s message. Ambassadors who received the most donations earned additional funds for their orange passion. Their fundraising efforts resulted in 414 gifts totaling $27,966.

Give Orange's leaderboards, challenges and matching gifts provided additional incentives for participation, fostering a spirit of friendly competition. OSU alumni chapters, such as the newly established Kingfisher County Alumni Chapter — comprised of about 50 members — capitalized on the Small Alumni Chapter Leaderboard and other opportunities, raising $4,926 for scholarships.

Micah Daugherty, president of the Kingfisher County alumni chapter, emphasized the excitement the challenges and leaderboards generated.

“The competition made it really fun, and I feel like we had a great core group that helped us be successful,” she said. “We shared the giving link to get as many gifts as possible.”

OSU Wakeboard Club President Jeremy Halbach was the top performing Give Orange ambassador and won the Hourly Donor Challenge 13 times, earning $250 each time. Halbach's efforts, along with the club's winnings from challenges, propelled the club beyond its goal of 100 donors and raised the needed funds to buy a new boat. 

“I met with the club’s executive team, which consists of about eight different people with specific titles. I gave everyone a specific task,” Habach said. “Fortunately, we have outstanding club members who wanted the new boat, so they followed the executive team’s plan to make the purchase happen.”

Reflecting on the overwhelming support received, Rebecca Nievar, director of annual giving at the OSU Foundation, expressed gratitude for donors’ generosity.

"The OSU family shows up for each other,” Nievar said. “One matched gift can fund an organization, expand scholarships or support students in need. Give Orange is transformational thanks to every one of our donors.”

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Photos: Provided

Story by: Samantha Hardy | STATE Magazine