Prove we are “Stronger Together” on LovEMU Giving Day, April 10!

The Apollo 11 mission landed the first human on the moon. The ’90s Chicago Bulls squad hoisted six championship trophies in eight years. The four mop-topped members of The Beatles left an enduring legacy on pop music…

It’s clear throughout history that we are all, and have always been, “Stronger Together” as a team. As our rallying cry for the eighth annual LovEMU Giving Day on Wednesday, April 10, we invite you to join us in supporting EMU to prove we are truly “Stronger Together.”

Participate in our 24-hour giving day extravaganza, in which alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, and friends come together to support and celebrate the wonderful university we all love. Help us set a new record! Last year, we raised $300,915 from donors giving 844 gifts. With your help, we can all make a difference by contributing to even more scholarships and financial aid packages, direct faculty and staff support, DEI initiatives and more!

Plenty of events are scheduled to show off your Royal pride and unleash your LovEMU spirit. Follow our live interviews and coverage throughout the day on our EMU Facebook Live page, hosted by Nicole Litwiller ’19, MA ’20 (conflict transformation), annual giving and donor communication specialist. Tag #LovEMU, #EMUGivingDay and #StrongerTogether in your social media posts and tell your friends and family about LovEMU Giving Day. 

Events

LovEMU Pep Rally
10:10-11 a.m. | Yoder Arena
Jump-start your morning with an hour of EMU spirit, storytelling and a chance to watch Herm pie President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman in the face. Doughnuts from Krispy Kreme will be provided beforehand. This event will be livestreamed.

Student vs. Faculty/Staff Dodgeball
11-11:30 a.m. | Yoder Arena
Students and faculty/staff face off in a friendly game of dodgeball. 

Choose Your Own Adventure Activities
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | University Commons
Add some activity to your afternoon. The climbing wall and pickleball and basketball courts will be open, with arts and crafts available and a university fair open to prospective students.

Lunch & Lawn Party
Noon-2 p.m. | Thomas Plaza
EMU leaders and administrators show their student appreciation by flipping burgers behind the grill. In addition to a lunch, free to all students and prospective students, attendees can play lawn games and win prizes.

LovEMU, LoveYourself
2-4 p.m. | UC Student Union
Stop by the LovEMU Hub at the Hall of Nations for various self-care activities, including snacks.

Baseball game
4 p.m. | EMU Baseball Field
Cheer on the Royals as they take on Mary Baldwin University.

LovEMU Cookout
5:30-7:30 p.m. | UC Parking Lot
Live music, free food and celebration — what’s not to love? This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP here so we’ll know how much food to prepare.

Karaoke Sing-Off
8-9:30 p.m. | UC Student Union
Show off your pipes while competing for a chance to win $100 for your favorite club at EMU. Both solo and group singers are welcome. Judges will crown their favorites in three categories: Best Theme, Most EMU Love, and Most Engaging/Best All-Around. Plus, everyone who performs gets a free small Common Grounds drink.

Late Night Jammin’
10:30-Midnight | UC Student Union
LovEMU Giving Day draws to a jazzy close with live music from EMU students and a biscuits and jam bar (hence the punny name).

Challenges

This year’s LovEMU Giving Day features more than $125,000 in challenge match funds from generous donors, split between full-day and timed challenges.

After a one-year hiatus, the leaderboard for athletic teams, academic programs and student organizations has returned. Donors who contribute a tax-deductible gift of $10 or more on LovEMU Giving Day can vote for a favorite team, program and organization. First, second and third place finishers from each category will receive between $250 and $1,000.

LovEMU Early Challenge (almost there!)
Help us reach our goal of receiving 100 gifts before LovEMU Giving Day to unlock an additional $10,000 toward the University Fund, our No. 1 student-centric fundraising priority.

Full-Day Challenges

Loyal Royal Challenge: If EMU alumni give 250 gifts, another $15,000 is unlocked to the University Fund. 

Stronger Together: Parents, students and all-around fans can show their love for all things EMU. If 175 non-alumni participate in LovEMU Giving Day, $15,000 will be unlocked for student scholarships.

Future Royal: For each prospective student who attends LovEMU Giving Day and pays their tuition deposit, another $1,000 is donated to the University Fund.

Timed Challenges

Wake Me Up Before You Give-Give
Time: 6-9 a.m.
Goal: 75 gifts
Unlocks: $10,000 to the University Fund

We’ve Got Spirit
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Goal: 50 gifts
Unlocks: $10,000 to the University Fund…and an opportunity to pie President Huxman!

Rally with Royal Women
Time: Noon-3 p.m.
Goal: $9,000
Royal Women for EMU, a new networking and philanthropy initiative, is determined to raise direct financial aid for students wanting to attend EMU. President Huxman has pledged to match every dollar donated in this challenge up to $9,000 to help Royal Women achieve its goal.

The Roar Heard ‘Round the World
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Goal: 75 gifts
Unlocks: $10,000 to the University Fund

What’s Love Got to Do with It?
Time: 7:30-9 p.m.
Goal: 50 gifts
Unlocks: $10,000 toward student scholarships

Carrie Us to Midnight
Time: 9 p.m.-Midnight
Goal: 100 gifts
Unlocks: $10,000 to the Athletics Annual Fund

Other ways to get into the LovEMU spirit

Try “The Herm Sandwich”
From Monday, April 8, to Wednesday, April 10, Lola’s Delicatessen in Harrisonburg, Virginia, is offering The Herm Sandwich, a ham sandwich with “a Royal twist.” The sandwich consists of double-smoked ham or smoked tofu with barbecue sauce and Swiss dill coleslaw on pumpernickel bread. Lola’s will contribute $1 from every Herm Sandwich sold to the University Fund. 

Watch our video
As you may have noticed in our rad ’80s-inspired workout videos, we’ve been getting “Pumped Up” about LovEMU Giving Day and we hope you are, too! Check out a teaser below for our full LovEMU Giving Day video, which releases on Monday, April 8.

Thank you to the many departments and people who have lent their valuable skills and insights to LovEMU Giving Day. For more information about LovEMU events and challenges, visit love.emu.edu.