Utah Tech students express their gratitude after setting up a booth during the annual Giving Day during D Week, April 9, 2024 | Photo by Utah Tech St. George News
ST. George — Utah Tech's annual Trailblazer Day of Giving raised a record $85,000 from 82 donations during the recently concluded D Week.
The 36-hour event from April 9th to 10th exceeded its original fundraising goal of $50,000.
This is the fourth year the university has hosted Trailblazer Day of Giving, but the first time it is held during D Week.
Lance Brown, Utah Tech's director of development, told St. George News that the event required extensive preparation and cooperation from everyone involved at the university.
“We call this Day of Giving, but a lot of it is the hard work,” Brown said.
He said team members work with donors, businesses and campus stakeholders well in advance of the event to ensure a unified effort on the day. This approach has allowed the event to grow a little each year.
The funds raised will be allocated to various projects to enhance student life and educational programs.
“There are three focuses,” he said. “We have need-based scholarships, athletic scholarships and active learning active living funds.”
The fund supports the university's polytechnic mission and focuses on hands-on, hands-on experiences that go beyond traditional classroom learning.
Brown emphasized that the Institute of Technology does more than just teach subjects such as computer programming.
“We have very hands-on externships and study abroad initiatives,” he said. “It costs a lot more than just sitting in a classroom with a projector.”
The university emphasizes that every gift, regardless of size, is important.
“People may think $10 or $30 doesn't make that much of an impact,” he says. “But when you combine that with hundreds of other people doing the same thing, it's life-changing.”
Brown said the community's generosity is not lost on those involved.
“There's the amount, but there's also the intent behind it,” he says. “He giving $10 to one person may mean so much more than giving to another person. That's not lost on us either.”
For more information about this event or to join future events, click here.
“This is an indicator of how much our community values this institution and its educational mission,” Brown said.
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