Shape the futures of our students by decreasing financial barriers, supporting faculty and staff, and improving facilities during the 10th annual LovEMU Giving Day on Wednesday, April 1
The world has changed in many ways since the inaugural LovEMU Giving Day was held on April 4, 2017.
One thing that’s remained constant through the years, says Nicole Litwiller ’19, MA ’20 (conflict transformation), is the outpouring of donor support during the annual LovEMU Giving Day.
“This year is our 10th annual giving day, so it’s very significant,” said Litwiller, annual giving and donor communication specialist. “I remember when LovEMU Giving Day started, when I was a student on campus. Now, I get to have a direct hand in creating this day of giving and celebration for our community, and that feels really special.”
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 $365,313 from 360 unique donors. With your help, we can all make a difference by contributing to scholarships and financial aid, direct support for faculty and staff, life-changing intercultural programs, and, for the first time ever, resources for first-generation college students.
LovEMU Day Events
Clockwise from top left: Adam Stoltzfus ’25 fires shirts into the crowd during last year’s giving day pep rally. | Students play lawn games on the Front Lawn during the LovEMU 2025 Lunch & Lawn Party. | Tyler Goss zooms down the indoor track during the Real Life Mario Kart Race. | The EMU community gathers inside the Hall of Nations to celebrate during an evening meal together. (Photos by Macson McGuigan ’17)
Plenty of events will be held throughout the day to demonstrate your Royal pride and unleash your LovEMU spirit. Tag #LovEMU and #ForTheRecord in your social media posts and tell your friends and family about LovEMU Giving Day.
Monday, March 30
LovEMU Dating Show
10:15 a.m. | University Commons Student Union
A LovEMU first, this dating show will feature student contestants as they compete to win a date with several bachelors and bachelorettes. Thoughout the event, hosted by the Student Government Association, the LovEMU Merch Market will be on hand to give away free LovEMU gear from the past decade.
“This is something I’ve heard a lot of excitement about,” Litwiller said. “Any time I’m at Common Grounds, I hear students talking about it. It seems like a unique event that hasn’t been done on campus before.”
Tuesday, March 31
Lip Sync Battle
8 p.m. | Yoder Arena
EMU’s athletic teams will compete in their annual Lip Sync Battle, hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Come out to cheer on your favorite teams!
Wednesday, April 1
Throughout the day, the EMU merch store, staffed by representatives from the University Outpost, will sell apparel and other EMU-branded merchandise at the Student Union from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
LovEMU participants and guests can also stop by the LovEMU hub inside the Hall of Nations at any time during the day to win prizes, collect a free T-shirt while supplies last, and make a gift in-person.
LovEMU Pep Rally
10:15 a.m. | Yoder Arena
The 10th annual LovEMU Giving Day kicks off with a high-energy pep rally to get everyone in the giving mood. Come early for the doughnuts, but stay for the performances featuring the previous night’s Lip Sync Battle winners.
The pep rally will be followed by a University Festival from 11:15 a.m. to noon in Yoder Arena, where academic departments will connect with prospective students, clubs will host games, and people can earn prizes at the LovEMU hub.
Lunch & Lawn Party
Noon-1:30 p.m. | Thomas Plaza
The annual student appreciation lunch, free for all students and hosted in partnership between Pioneer College Caterers and Campus Activities Council, returns to Thomas Plaza. A description of the event promises “good food, lawn games, and prizes.”
Relieve the TENsion
2-4 p.m. | Student Union
Students and faculty from EMU’s graduate counseling program will lead self-care activities, including blackout poetry, collage-making, and more.
LovEMU Community Meal
5:30-7:30 p.m. | Hall of Nations
Join the campus community for an evening of live music, food, and a celebration of all things EMU. Dinner is free and open to all students, prospective students, faculty and staff, alumni, donors, and families. RSVP for the meal here.
Real Life Mario Kart Race
8-9:30 p.m. | University Commons indoor track
Get it on like Donkey Kong, and other characters from the popular Nintendo game, in this high-thrills contest hosted by SGA. Back by popular demand, teams of three will race on scooters around the track, dodging obstacles, collecting prizes, and blasting off with star power, in hopes the blue turtle shell doesn’t knock them over.
Art After Dark
10:30 p.m.-midnight | Student Union
The night winds down at this spring-themed craft night featuring live music from EMU’s jazz trio: Music Professor Dr. Benjamin Guerrero, seminary student Makinto, and music alumnus Thaddeus Jackson ’24. The first 20 people to arrive at Art After Dark will receive seasonal sip samples.
LovEMU Day Challenges
This year’s LovEMU Giving Day features $170,000 in challenge match funds from generous donors, split between full-day and timed challenges. It’s the most challenge match funds ever, Litwiller said.
“That’s huge,” she said. “We’re really counting on our community to come together and unlock all those funds throughout the day.”
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 or organization, and athletic team. First place in each category will receive $1,000, second place receives $500, and third place receives $250.
LovEMU Early Challenge (almost there!)
Help us reach our goal of receiving 120 gifts before LovEMU Giving Day to unlock an additional $15,000 toward the University Fund, our top fundraising priority.
All-Day Challenges
Contribute to these challenges anytime before midnight on April 1 to help unlock over $125,000.
Loyal Royal Challenge
If 250 alumni make a gift to EMU before midnight, $20,000 to student scholarships will be unlocked.
Friends of EMU Challenge
If 175 non-alumni participate in LovEMU Day, $15,000 to the University Fund will be unlocked.
Future Royal Challenge
Admissions is once again teaming up with LovEMU Day. For each prospective student who attends LovEMU Day AND pays their tuition deposit (either on the day or prior to it), we’ll unlock $1,000 for EMU’s scholarship funds. This challenge is funded by two graduates from the class of 1958.
Timed Challenges
Give early and often to help us unlock over $150,000 in matching funds.
Early Herm Gets the Worm
6-9 a.m.
If we receive 75 gifts before 9 a.m., we’ll unlock $15,000 for student scholarships.
First-Gen Match of 10
10 a.m.-noon
In this first-ever challenge of its kind, each gift made for first-generation student support will be matched up to $10,000. Plus, a NetVUE grant will match the match—all money raised through the end of next year will be matched up to $60,000. These gifts provide programming for first-gen students to explore vocation in a way that celebrates discovery, fulfillment, and calling. Give from 10 a.m.-noon and have 4x the impact.
LovEMU at First Sight
Noon-3 p.m.
On our first LovEMU Giving Day, we had a total of $30,000 to unlock throughout the entire day. Now, in celebration of our 10th giving day, a generous donor has committed that much for just one massive challenge. With 110 gifts between noon and 3 p.m., we’ll unlock a whopping $30,000 for the University Fund.
What a Wonderful World
5-7 p.m.
In honor of his late wife Christine Good Shenk ’83, Ed Shenk ’83 has put forward a $20,000 match for Intercultural Programs. Christine’s cross-cultural to the Middle East during her time at EMU was incredibly transformative for her. With 80 gifts from 5-7 p.m., we will unlock $20,000 to ensure all students are able to access EMU’s impactful intercultural experiences.
The Generosity Marathon
7:30-9 p.m.
If we receive 55 gifts from 7:30-9 p.m., we’ll unlock $10,000 for EMU Athletics thanks to an alumni couple from the class of 2020 and an anonymous donor couple.
Late-night Leadership
9 p.m.-midnight
In celebration of Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus‘ first year in office, two generous donors have put up $20,000 in this final challenge of the day. One-hundred gifts from 9 p.m. to midnight will earn us a final boost for the University Fund to close out the day.
Other ways to show your EMU love
You can also show your EMU love by supporting a couple EMU alumni-owned businesses.
The Ridge Room is partnering with EMU again this year. From now through April 1, enjoy a “Blue & Gold” Blueberry Mango Trifle, and profits will support EMU’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund. This fund directly supports EMU’s commitment to creating a community of learners where everyone feels connected, accepted, valued, and respected.
In honor of LovEMU Giving Day, the owners of AJ’s Gentlemen’s Barbershop are giving back to their alma mater. When you stop by and mention LovEMU, 10% of your service will go directly to support EMU’s Intensive English Program. Book online at ajsgentlemensbarbershop.com or stop by, and don’t forget to say LovEMU.
How to give
You can give online via credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay 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. You can also stop by the LovEMU hub on April 1 and make your gift in person.
For more information about LovEMU events and challenges, visit love.emu.edu.
Join the Discussion on “Help us reach another historic LovEMU Giving Day high…for the record”