SU Gives Day: Cheerful Givers Here, There, and Everywhere

Since its inception, SU Gives Day has served as a medium for supporters of the Blue and Gold to financially support the storied HBCU that is Southern University A&M. Despite the now annual event has garnered over $90 million since its start almost a decade ago, it seems that it has no intentions of slowing down anytime soon. At its core, SU Giveday is a fundraiser that allows alumni, local businesses, and other interested parties to donate funds to the five campuses within the Southern University System. Setting a goal of $10 million for this year’s Give Day on the 31st of August, the event reached its target and then some with approximately $10,230,721. In response to the achievement, SU alumni took to social media to express their support for the fundraiser. “Great!,” said Samantha Jones, a Southern University Alum in response to the final donation figure being announced on Facebook. “Hopefully money goes towards the needs of the school,” she concludes. In the past, funding received from SU Give Day was put towards campus improvements and construction efforts, such as the roads, facility maintenance, etc. As more and more positive works are put into place as a result of the SU Give Day funding, the hope is for the annual fundraiser to attract even more people as a result. It’s no surprise that there is a healthy sense of skepticism from the student body and alumni when it comes to donating funding, with some vocalizing their support while also expressing hope that the money is used proactively. “ Hopefully some of this will be applied towards the current student tuition fees!,” said Johnneka Taylor, a parent to a current Southern University Jag. Before the event kicked off, it was communicated via the campus social media that all proceeds of the fundraiser would be going to the student body and the campuses that they represent. “Any amount given will go to fund initiatives benefiting students, faculty, programs, and more throughout the Southern University System located in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport,” read the university’s Facebook on the morning of the event. Tallying approximately 4,651 donations, this year’s Give Day illustrated just how favored the university is amongst its alumni and allies throughout the state of Louisiana. Looking forward to next year, the goal is for more participation so that the upward trend of donations can continue to grow for the Southern University System’s benefit.