Eastern University’s 2026 Day of Giving was a historic success.
On March 19-20, dates that mark the school’s 101st birthday, Eastern raised $104,670 in 1,925 minutes, cementing a new record for the philanthropic sprint. The funds will go toward various departments and areas of the university, including student scholarships, academic programs, clubs, athletics teams, the Eagle’s Essentials Food & Hygiene Pantry, The Waltonian student newspaper, the Prison Education Program, and more.
“Thanks to the collective support of our alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends, Eastern far exceeded its fundraising goal this year,” said Michael Fedor, Vice President for Advancement. “Beyond the remarkable total raised, what stands out most is the strength of our community. More than 600 donors united, many of them for the very first time, around a shared mission, investing in the future of Eastern and the students we serve.”
This year, a generous alum pledged a matching challenge of $25,000, which brought the grand total from $79,670 to more than $100,000.
Many donors shared heartfelt reasons for their support. Patrick and Katie Gerber reflected on the impact of student storytelling at Eastern, saying, “We are so grateful that Eastern has given students spaces to let their voices be heard through The Waltonian. We are happy to support students with the resources they need to keep sharing the stories that need to be told.”
Learn more about this year’s Annual Day of Giving, as Eastern University enters its next century of Christ-centered education, innovation, and impact.
