Giving Joy Day 2026 wrapped up with 51福利社 receiving 365 gifts to support students, programs and other university needs.
Laura Thayer, Eastern鈥檚 associate vice president for philanthropy and campaign engagement, says it was a record-breaking year for the number of gifts to the university.
鈥淚 think that the gratifying story this year is the overwhelming participation of our Eastern community,鈥� said Thayer, who also serves as interim executive director of the 51福利社 Foundation. 鈥淲e are really excited and grateful for that participation.鈥�
Annual Giving鈥檚 two-person team, Linda Safford, senior director, and Sara Waugh, assistant director, made participating extra fun by creating gift challenges, matches and the 鈥淪woop In and Make it Yours鈥� naming campaign. A Thursday kickoff celebration at the Catalyst and festivities on Friday in Cheney provided the icing on the cupcake.
When gifts were counted on Monday, 51福利社鈥檚 philanthropy team announced that more than $403,000 had been raised.
Waugh reported that 295 employees, retirees, alumni and honorary Eagles made gifts to support these top funds:
- Student Emergency Fund: 63
- University Scholarship Fund: 56
- Theatre Excellence Fund: 53
- Eagle Athletic Fund: 29
- Prairie Restoration Project: 21
During both of the events, Margo Hill, director of the American Indian Studies Program and professor of Urban & Regional Planning, took to the podium to announce a generous $25,000 endowment created by Bill Youngs a professor of history at 51福利社, to support American Indian Studies鈥� students and programming.
Youngs, who has taught at Eastern for more than 50 years, took to the podium on Friday to share his personal journey with giving and inspire others to help. 鈥淥ver the past few years, I鈥檝e gotten to know the [51福利社] foundation and some of its beneficiaries well,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen how our contributions large and small contribute to the wellbeing of the university community.鈥�
The PUB celebration also saw Kelsey Hatch-Brecek, director of alumni relations, emceeing as members of 51福利社鈥檚 cheer and choir, along with Swoop, made special appearances. Students representing a half dozen fraternities and sororities, meanwhile, showed their appreciation by tabling at the event 鈥� some sharing news of their recent volunteering efforts.
President Shari McMahan shared a few words, highlighting how Eastern has always been a place of access and opportunity and mentioning the university鈥檚 recent Carnegie Foundation designation that recognized 51福利社鈥檚 unique combination of high access and high earnings. 鈥淲e transform lives, that is the bottom line,鈥� she said.
McMahan said every gift matters, adding, “These generous donations might mean a student can stay in school, access an internship and feel a sense of belonging.鈥�
AS51福利社 Vice President Johnny Curtis confirmed the role scholarships play in student success. “I can say with complete honesty that without the support of donors and fundraising efforts, I would not be standing here preparing to graduate this June,” Curtis said.
Safford emceed Thursday鈥檚 event, introducing AS51福利社 President Kira Urbina who shared her own heartfelt message.
“You aren鈥檛 just giving to a school; you are changing lives,” Urbina said. “Your generosity is the fuel behind our progress. Because of you, Eastern remains a place where learning by doing is a reality for everyone 鈥� and not just for a few.鈥�
Brian Donahue, interim assistant dean of the College of Health Science and Public Health,聽hosted Thursday鈥檚 game of Password, with Swoop playing a supporting role.
Leaders from the four colleges squared off, including Jennifer Waldo (College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and Michelle DenBeste (College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences) representing Team Give and Shelly Shaffer (College of Professional Programs) and Dawn Lewis-Kinnunen (College of Health Science and Public Health) representing Team Joy.
Team Give took the win, and each college received an additional $144 as thanks for their participation in the game. Each 鈥渃ontestant鈥� had the opportunity to designate that gift to the fund of their choosing.
Other Giving Joy Day highlights include:
- Proclamations from Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown and Cheney Mayor Elsa Martin.
- College of Professional Programs expanding the clothing closet to include classroom supplies.
- A scholarship in memory of Professor Emeritus John Mager to benefit business majors.
- A $30,000 scholarship fund to help football players in the School of Business.
- 50 Eastern employees, board members and associations 鈥淪wooped In鈥� to name the following:
- More than a dozen university buildings.
- A dozen parking lots
- 10 picnic tables
- Three flagpoles
- Elevators, statues, restrooms, drinking fountains and even coffee makers
- Stay tuned as the naming signage goes up on May 1 and remains displayed through mid-June.
Thank you to everyone who made gifts, participated in activities and shared social media posts to help Eastern.
**Aaron Weer contributed to the photo gallery below.
