Help write EMU’s next chapter on LovEMU Giving Day, April 2

On Wednesday, April 2, LovEMU Giving Day is back and bigger than ever, with more challenge match funds to unlock than ever before, along with a pair of fun spirit days leading up to the main event.

Participate in our ninth annual 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 $340,512 from donors giving 873 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, campus facility enhancements, and more. Join thousands of other supporters for LovEMU 2025 and help us write EMU’s next chapter.

Plenty of events are scheduled to show off your Royal pride and unleash your LovEMU spirit. Follow our coverage throughout the day on our EMU Facebook page. Tag #EMUGivingDay and #ARoyalTale in your social media posts and tell your friends and family about LovEMU Giving Day.

Get into the spirit

LovEMU week launches Monday with President Huxman Lookalike Day. Dig out those blue blazers and spectacular specs for a one-of-a-kind contest held at 10:45 a.m. in the Student Union and judged by the prez herself. The winner will receive a free coffee or dinner date with the president and three friends, along with three votes toward the leaderboard competition. Don’t forget to grab a free LovEMU T-shirt from the Student Union starting at 10:15 a.m., while supplies last.

On Tuesday, EMU gets enchanted. Bust out your favorite costume for Fairy Tale Day. A contest held at the dining hall during lunch will pick the most popular LovEMU-themed nail art, with the top two designs winning Common Grounds gift cards. Submit a photo online here by March 30 to enter the competition.

When the big day arrives on Wednesday, it’s time to break out the blue and don your choicest EMU apparel for Royal Pride Day.

Giving Day events

LovEMU Day kicks off bright and early with a sunrise viewing from the EMU hill at 6:30 a.m. with coffee and tea provided. Then, head over to Yoder Arena for a pep rally at 10:15 a.m. to enjoy some doughnuts and get fired up. The event, which will be livestreamed on Facebook, will feature a screening of the official LovEMU hype video and a special appearance from the BaZOOKa T-shirt cannon designed by engineering student Adam Stoltzfus with help from lab tech Henry Bowser. The project was funded by 2019 alumni Ben and Kayla Zook (hence the name). “I was told that it can fire a shirt up to 55 feet, so it’s got some power,” said Nicole Litwiller, annual giving and donor communication specialist. If at least 150 people attend the pep rally, she said, Herm’s jester will perform a hidden talent.

A Royal Tales panel discussion with faculty members Dr. Gaurav Pathania, Dr. Kate Clark, and Dr. Benjamin Bergey at 11:45 a.m. in the Student Union will feature the professors sharing the journeys that led them to EMU. A lunch and lawn party held at Thomas Plaza at noon will include a free meal for students and lawn games. Get ready for a fierce showdown of egg toss! Throughout the day, at two separate sessions (2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.), Music Professor Ben Guerrero will lead tours of the new state-of-the-art recording studio located in the astral hall atop the EMU hill.

From 2 to 4 p.m. at the Student Union, EMU librarians will share their favorite children’s books. This story time event is open to community members and their children.

The day includes a wide slate of sports games, from a softball doubleheader against Bridgewater (3 p.m. and 5 p.m.), a lacrosse game against Ferrum (4 p.m.), and a men’s volleyball match against Randolph (7 p.m.).

In the evening, enjoy a shared meal and live music with the EMU community at the LovEMU Cookout at 5:30 p.m. in the University Commons parking lot. Dinner is free and open to all students, prospective students, faculty/staff, alumni, donors, and families. RSVP here.

The night continues with a real-life Mario Kart race at 8 p.m. Participants in teams of three will ride floor scooters—the kind you might remember from elementary school—around the indoor track, dodging obstacles and grabbing mystery blocks full of prizes.

Wind down LovEMU Day with a screening of The Princess Bride and a craft-your-own-potion station at 10 p.m. in the Student Union.

Challenges

This year’s LovEMU Giving Day features over $150,000 in challenge match funds from generous donors, split between full-day and timed challenges.

For the first time in LovEMU history, a new challenge is dedicated to raising funds for EMU’s intercultural programs. If donors contribute 75 gifts between 5 and 7 p.m., $10,000 will be unlocked for intercultural programs at EMU.

The day also marks the return of the popular leaderboard competition. Each gift of $10 or more is eligible to cast a vote for your favorite academic program, student club/organization and athletic team. First place in each category will receive $1,000, second place receives $500, and third place receives $250.

“Part of what is meaningful about LovEMU Giving Day is that it’s all about participation,” Litwiller said. “A gift of any size helps us reach our goals and unlock significant amounts of money.”

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 250 alumni give gifts to EMU, $20,000 is unlocked to the University Fund. 

Friends of EMU Challenge: If 175 non-alumni participate in LovEMU Giving Day, $15,000 will be unlocked for student scholarships.

Future Royal Challenge: For each prospective student who attends LovEMU Giving Day and pays their tuition deposit, $1,000 is donated for scholarship funds.

Timed challenges

Rise ’n Shine, Royals!
Time: 6–9 a.m.
Goal: 75 gifts
Unlocks: $15,000 to the University Fund

Fee-Fi-Fo-Fund our Facilities
Time: 10 a.m.–noon
Goal: 65 gifts
Unlocks: $15,000 for improvements to campus facilities

What Magnificent Academics We Have!
Time: Noon-3 p.m.
Goal: 100 gifts
Unlocks: $15,000 for student scholarships

A Whole New World
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Goal: 75 gifts
Unlocks: $10,000 for intercultural programs

The Mighty Royals
Time: 7:30-9 p.m.
Goal: 50 gifts
Unlocks: $10,000 for EMU athletics

Before the Clock Strikes Midnight
Time: 9 p.m.-Midnight
Goal: 100 gifts
Unlocks: $15,000 to the University Fund

Other ways to show your EMU love

There’s no shortage of ways to show your love for all things EMU. Take in EMU Theatre’s spring musical production of “On the Breath of God: The Life of Maria Skobtsova,” which runs from March 29-30 and April 3-5 at the MainStage Theater. Or, enjoy the senior art show opening at 4 p.m. on April 4 at the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery.

You can also show your EMU love by supporting a couple EMU alum-owned businesses in the ‘Burg. From now through April 2, enjoy a special Royal Blue-berry Cheesecake at The Ridge Room. Profits will support EMU’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund, which directly supports our commitment to creating a community of learners where everyone feels connected, accepted, valued and respected.

From March 26 through April 2, take your custom framing needs to The Frame Factory and mention the LovEMU partnership to ensure 10% of your sale goes to support the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding.

Plus, check out a teaser below for our full LovEMU Giving Day video, which releases on Monday, March 31. 

How to give

You can give online via credit card at love.emu.edu, by calling 800-368-3383, written check or check by mail, donor-advised gifts, IRA gifts or establishing recurring giving. All gifts are tax-deductible.

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