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Alumni, donors give $104,376 during third annual Day of Giving

by Claire Berlin

Marietta, Ohio (02/15/2019) — During Marietta College's third annual Day of Giving, 712 Pioneers showed their love for MC by making a gift and raising $104,376 in support of today's students and Marietta College programs.

"This was a wonderful way to celebrate the love we all have for MC, and it was so exciting to see The Long Blue Line quadruple their results over last year," said Kathryn Gloor, Senior Director of Annual Giving. "The entire community had fun cheering on the competition, and knowing that every dollar raised will support today's Pioneers."

This year, 88 Advocates stepped up to the plate to share the many reasons why they love MC and to encourage their peers to participate on Feb. 14.

"I am honored to serve as an Advocate this year because I am excited to see what we can do when we come together as one Marietta College community," said Bethany McFarland Leslie '12. "While I may not be able to contribute as significantly as I'd like to at this point in my career, as an Advocate, I know that I can give back of my time and my talents to help engage my own personal networks and provide support in this way."

Advocates shared their messages through social media posts, texts, emails, personal videos and even offered challenge matches.

"As someone who has worked closely with institutions over the years, I know how much colleges and universities depend on donors," said Brittany Metcalf '13. "Marietta College also provided me some of my most memorable years where I received a great education and everlasting relationships. MC gave so much, so I am happy to donate and promote the Day of Giving campaign."

MCAA Board Members Mark Vizza '98 served as an Advocate in 2018 and was excited to reprise his role again this year. He reached out to friends, rowers, Delta Upsilon brothers, did a challenge match and made an additional donation for each member of the Class of 1998 who donated.

"Whether it's $18.25 or $1,835 (or more!), any amount is good, and every amount helps," Vizza said. "At MC, we can see where our donations go. It could be as simple as campus improvements, a new beaker for biology, a new oar for crew or as important as a scholarship for a student in need."

Throughout the day, classes competed to see which year would have the most donors and Greeks, from all decades, reached out to their brothers and sisters to make sure that their chapter would come out on top in the Greek competition.

"I decided to become an Advocate this year to influence the participation of other alumni from my years at Marietta and in particular from my sorority, Chi Omega," said MCAA Board Member Chris Zernick Suter '84.

Suter reached out to ChiOs from early to mid-'80s on Facebook to tell them about the Day of Giving and inviting them to join her in giving back to MC. She also matched a total of $200 for 1980-84 ChiOs who also donated during the Day of Giving.

"With social media, we've reconnected with so many friends and sisters that we may have lost touch with over the years," Suter said. "I personally have rekindled some friendships and it seemed like we picked up where we left off, and that may have been 20 or more years ago."

Advocates and donors alike encouraged others to participate and increase their impact during the Day of Giving by offering matching gifts and personal challenges.

"We had one generous donor matching all new and increased donations up to $10,000, and 19 others offered personal matches ranging from $50 to $1,987," Gloor said. "It just goes to show how easy it is to double and triple your impact when you invite others to get involved."

Throughout the day the love that Pioneers have for Marietta College could be seen across social media and even worldwide, with a handful of donors hailing from Canada, China, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Australia. Members of The Long Blue Line shared how they met their spouse on campus, made connections with lifelong faculty members, met some of their best friends and graduated from the College with the knowledge and skills to blaze a trail for their professional goals.

"Marietta College has always been a special place to me since I walked on campus as an 18-year-old with more questions than answers about where I was headed in life," said Marietta College Trustee Dan Leonard '85. "Those four years at Marietta helped me find some answers and helped me set me on my way and I owe a lot to that gem of a school on the Ohio River, both professionally and personally. I still don't know all the answers, but I answered one big question a long time ago, attending Marietta College was one of the best decisions I could have made, and for that I'm thankful. That's why I am happy to give back and the Day of Giving is a great interactive and fun way to do just that."

Anyone interested in making a gift to The Marietta Fund can do so at www.marietta.edu/give.

If you'd like to learn more about how you can become an Advocate to help next year, email alumni@marietta.edu.

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