Giving Day Student Experience

By Emily Hung ’23, April 27, 2022

College engages students through activities.

Students in front of a sign saying "It's a Great Day to be a Bomber"

Students got the chance to participate in multi-media opportunities, giving thanks and celebrating IC during the Giving Day event.

(Photo by Bob Wagner)

During Ithaca College’s historic Giving Day event, IC provided students a chance to kick back while giving thanks to donors who made generous gifts to the college bringing in a total of $2,231,443 from 4,794 donors.

The event in Emerson Suites included a donor appreciation corner, where students could craft thank-you notes to donors in appreciation of their generosity.

Kristin Van Ormer, associate director of alumni and family engagement, said the event created a way for students to get involved and be part of Giving Day.

“You can see all across campus in different places students that are benefiting from the money being donated. I really encourage people to give back. The last few years have been challenging, but giving back, being involved, and staying engaged helps to build a sense of community.”

Reed Pollard ’22, Senior Class President

“It’s critical for students to see the dollars being raised and feel like the community is here to support the student experience,” she said. “We also hope they start to establish some really positive connections with philanthropy and understand the importance of philanthropy. The students are the ‘why’ of why we’re all here, so making sure students have access to all of the great things that make the college a wonderful experience is so important.”

Senior Class President Reed Pollard ’22 represented the graduating class at IC Giving Day. The senior class has been raising funds for the Student Emergency Relief Fund as their class gift. They more than tripled their goal of $5,000.

As a business administration major, Pollard sees first-hand the impact philanthropy has on his education, through things like the John Neeson Digital Marketing and Analytics Laboratory, supported by a generous gift from alumnus John J. Neeson ’84.

“Philanthropy makes a difference in the lives of students and future students. Many of us got where we are today because somebody invested in us, so I think we have a responsibility to give back because so much has been given to us.”

President La Jerne Terry Cornish

“You can see all across campus in different places students that are benefiting from the money being donated,” Pollard said. “I really encourage people to give back. The last few years have been challenging, but giving back, being involved, and staying engaged helps to build a sense of community.”

President La Jerne Terry Cornish also attended the event and emphasized the importance of donating to support students.

“Philanthropy makes a difference in the lives of students and future students,” Cornish said. “Many of us got where we are today because somebody invested in us, so I think we have a responsibility to give back because so much has been given to us.”

The event also featured student performances from Ithacapella, Premium Blend and Pitch Please, a Mario Kart tournament, games, and music from WICB.

Students had a chance to write thank-you notes to donors whose generous gifts make their Ithaca College experience special.

(Photo by Nathalie Molina '24)

Joey Albano ’24, a music education major, performed as part of Ithacapella.

“The campus community is very good to our organization, and we’ve been given a lot of opportunities on campus,” he said. “Any time we’re presented with a chance to give back, we jump at that. We’re very grateful to be able to perform.”

Thomas Zieger ’24 performed alongside Albano and echoed his sentiment on giving back to the college.

“We feel it''s important that those who have benefited from their time here also take the opportunity to give back,” Zieger said. “This day gives them that.”