For the past several months, we called on EMU’s faithful flock of supporters to help us celebrate the 10th annual LovEMU Giving Day by giving more than ever before—for our students, faculty, staff and, for the record.
In our series of student and alumni stories, social media posts, and letters and emails, we invited you to become part of LovEMU history by making this year’s Giving Day the best one yet. You answered the call, giving more than $402,000 to scholarships and financial aid, direct support for faculty and staff, EMU’s life-changing intercultural programs, and, for the first time, resources for first-generation college students.
Together, we surpassed the $400,000 goal set by LovEMU organizers and topped our previous record of $365,512, raised last year, by an impressive 10%.
In an email sent Thursday, Nicole Litwiller ’19, MA ’20 (conflict transformation), annual giving and donor communications specialist, expressed gratitude for the generosity shown by EMU alumni, friends, and fans.
“It is inspiring and humbling to witness the outpouring of support our community showed—with every gift, text to a family member or friend, or post to social media, you helped us meet our goal. We are incredibly grateful.” she said.
Among the highlights from this year’s LovEMU Giving Day, she shared, were:
- Unlocking every challenge of the day;
- watching hundreds of alumni, employees, donors, and students connect and celebrate during the LovEMU Community Meal; and
- welcoming 19 future Royals who visited for the day into the EMU community.
“Thank you again for showing up for EMU,” Litwiller said. “Your support has a direct impact on current students, future students, and the entire EMU community.”
Students, faculty, staff, and alumni fill Yoder Arena for Wednesday morning’s LovEMU Pep Rally.
The day kicked off with the third annual LovEMU Pep Rally at Yoder Arena. The rally had it all: a dramatic entrance by Herm on an e-bike, the return of the BaZOOKa T-shirt cannon, and performances by the top three athletic teams from the previous night’s Lip-Sync Battle.
Read a recap of the pep rally below!
Sights and sounds from the University Festival: Past, present, and future Royals meet with Herm (top photo), snap pics at the LovEMU photo booth (left), and bob for apples (right) at one of the Student Union club booths.
Following the pep rally, the University Festival in the Hall of Nations connected faculty members with prospective students and featured games and activities hosted by student clubs.
Mathematics Professor Dr. Daniel Showalter brought his two daughters and his dad, Dennis Showalter ’73, to the event. He said he gives to scholarships such as the HDH and Flora Showalter Endowed Scholarship, which supports math and computer science students, on LovEMU Giving Day.
“This is my dream job,” he said. “I want to do whatever I can to keep the atmosphere vibrant and living. I feel really grateful that I get to wake up every morning and go to a job that is meaningful and enjoyable.”
Jacob Horsley ’22, MBA ’25, associate director of undergraduate admissions, said he chooses to give back to the university on LovEMU Giving Day because he’s a “repeat Royal.”
“I’m a double-alumnus,” he said. “I have experienced the impact of this supportive community, and I want to make sure that it continues.”
The Lunch & Lawn Party returned to Thomas Plaza with a free student lunch and various lawn games.
The campus community enjoyed Wednesday’s warm weather at the Lunch & Lawn Party on Thomas Plaza, where they savored Korean beef bowls and competed in lawn games. The annual student appreciation lunch, free for all students and hosted in partnership between Pioneer College Caterers and the Campus Activities Council, included the traditional egg toss and a Bubble Bus that filled the Front Lawn with giant bubbles.
From 2 to 4 p.m., members of EMU’s MA in Counseling program led self-care activities at the Student Union.
As EMU’s night owls kept the energy alive, LovEMU participants had plenty more activities to enjoy. Back by popular demand and hosted by the Student Government Association, the Real Life Mario Kart Race returned to the University Commons indoor track, where teams of three raced on scooters, dodged obstacles, and collected prizes. Later, from 10:30 p.m. to midnight, the Art After Dark craft event featured live music from EMU’s jazz trio.
View the full schedule of events at love.emu.edu/events.
Leaderboard competition
The winners of the 2026 LovEMU leaderboard competition are:
Academic program
- First place ($1,000 prize): Nursing
- Second place ($500 prize): Natural Sciences
- Third place ($250 prize): Education
Student club/org
- First place ($1,000 prize): Muslim Student Alliance (a new org formed this year!)
- Second place ($500 prize): Black Student Alliance
- Third place ($250 prize): EMU Outdoor
Athletic team
- First place ($1,000 prize): Women’s Volleyball
- Second place ($500 prize): Women’s Basketball
- Third place ($250 prize): Men’s volleyball
Challenges (all unlocked)
Donors unlocked all $170,000 in challenge match funds for the University Fund, student scholarships, intercultural programs, athletics, and, new to LovEMU this year, support for first-generation college students.
LovEMU Early Challenge: We received more than 120 gifts before the start of LovEMU Giving Day to unlock $15,000 for the University Fund.
All-day challenges
Loyal Royal Challenge: More than 250 alumni made gifts to EMU during LovEMU Giving Day to unlock $20,000 for student scholarships.
Friends of EMU Challenge: More than 175 non-alumni made gifts to unlock $15,000 for the University Fund.
Future Royal Challenge: Because 19 prospective students who were in attendance on LovEMU Giving Day paid their tuition deposit, either on the day or beforehand, we unlocked $19,000 in scholarship funds.
Timed challenges
Early Herm Gets the Worm: We received 75 gifts before 9 a.m. on Wednesday to unlock $15,000 for student scholarships.
First-Gen Match of 10: In a first-ever LovEMU challenge of its kind, a “match of the match” through a NetVUE grant, we raised $10,052 to support first-generation students.
LovEMU at First Sight: We received 110 gifts between noon and 3 p.m. to unlock a whopping $30,000 for the University Fund.
What a Wonderful World: We received 80 gifts from 5-7 p.m. to unlock $20,000 to ensure all students are able to access EMU’s impactful intercultural experiences.
The Generosity Marathon: We received 55 gifts from 7:30-9 p.m. to unlock $10,000 for EMU Athletics.
Late-night Leadership: We received 100 gifts from 9 p.m. to midnight to unlock $20,000 for the University Fund.
Thanks to everyone who donated, shared their time to celebrate their love of all things EMU, and joined in the festivities on campus! Special thanks to the 2026 LovEMU planning team: Nicole Litwiller, Arelys Martinez Fabian, Cassandra Guerrero, Kyle Dickinson, Leah Frankenfield, Luke Litwiller, Maria Longenecker, Omar Hoyos, Steve Johnson, and Tyler Goss.
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