McPherson College’s Power Day 2022 surpassed all goals and set new records on March 10 during this year’s annual online day of giving that supports students and programs across campus. More than 400 alumni and friends of the college gave $314,383, exceeding last year’s total by more than $120,000, and in the eight years since its start, Power Day has raised more than $1 million.
“The response to this year’s Power Day exceeded all of my expectations,” Dave Barrett ’90, advancement officer and director of Power Day, said. “When we started this eight years ago, we wanted Power Day to connect with many groups within the MC family. It’s really a day about celebrating McPherson College.”
Gifts from alumni and friends of the college helped unlock matching challenges that totaled $95,000. The challenge gifts included:
- $50,000 match from the Paul family for gifts made to the MC Fund and academic programs;
- $10,000 match from the Van Goethem family for gifts made by young alumni;
- $10,000 match from the Van Goethem family for gifts made to athletics;
- $5,000 match from the Van Goethem family for gifts made to the choir;
- $10,000 match from Jeff Slagle for gifts made to the automotive restoration program;
- $10,000 match from a current McPherson College Board of Trustee member for gifts made by fellow board members.
“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,” Barrett said. “This is the place where many of us were allowed to grow and learn life lessons both in and out of the classroom and to meet life-long friends.”
The one-day giving blitz featured live and pre-recorded video messages throughout the day on the college’s social media channels and website. Alumni were encouraged to share their stories about the MC community leading up to Power Day and donors left comments throughout the day, which were shared on the college website.
In her online comment, Chrystal Banz ’07, said, “So grateful for my time at MC! From being a part of the first year of the graphic design program, bringing back women’s soccer, playing in the MC band, and on through the phone-a-thon. The memories and friendships will last a lifetime.”
Although the focus of Power Day is online giving, Barrett said it is also a day to engage with alumni and friends from across the country and communicate why it is important to support the next generation of students by investing in their success.
More information about Power Day, including all of the videos and alumni comments, can be found at www.mcpherson.edu/power.