McPherson College’s Power Day 2021 set a new record for the number of alumni and friends participating and raised over $193,000 for the college. The annual online day of giving, which supports students and programs across campus was March 11.
In its seventh year, 342 alumni and friends of the college made gifts that helped unlock four matching challenges that totaled $85,000. The challenge gifts included:
- $50,000 match from the Paul family for gifts made to the MC Fund, academic programs, or to the Student Debt Project;
- $15,000 match from the Van Goethem family for gifts made by young alumni;
- $10,000 match from Stella Koch and Dave Kinney for gifts made to the automotive restoration program;
- $10,000 match from the Van Goethem family for gifts made to athletics.
“Power Day is not just a day of giving but a time for us all to celebrate and remember what McPherson College means to us,” Dave Barrett, coordinator of Power Day, said. “This is the place where many of us were allowed to grow, learn life lessons both in and out of the classroom and meet forever friends. Power Day is an opportunity for our alumni and friends to make an investment in the next generation of MC students, and allow them to have their own unique MC experience and recognize what makes this place so special.”
The one-day giving blitz featured live and pre-recorded video messages throughout the day on the college’s social media channels. This year’s Power Day theme was “Building community wherever life takes you” and alumni were encouraged to share their stories about the MC community leading up to Power Day. Donors were also encouraged to leave comments throughout the day, which were shared on the college website. Common themes were gratitude for community, support, and quality education.
“Everything good in my life over the last twelve plus years has happened as a result of going to McPherson College and I am forever thankful for that,” Mitch Leppke ’13, said in a comment posted to the website.
Although the focus of Power Day is online giving, Barrett said it is also a day to reconnect with friends and communicate why it is important to support the next generation of students through scholarships.
“As we look to continue our tradition of successful fundraising, it will take a new generation of support,” President Michael Schneider said. “Power Day is one demonstration of our alumni and friends stepping up to make that happen.”
More information about Power Day, including all of the videos and alumni comments, can be found at www.mcpherson.edu/power.