Lumberjacks and friends of Stephen F. Austin State University are encouraged to participate in the university’s inaugural Giving Day, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 16.
The theme, “23 Reasons for 24 Hours,” will highlight 23 unique aspects of SFA through social media posts and emails.
Twenty-three is symbolic for SFA because 1923 is the year the university officially opened. It is significant for Giving Day because it is exactly the number of reasons detailed in a 1917 brochure encouraging policymakers to establish the university in Nacogdoches.
“Those 23 reasons quite literally helped put SFA on the map,” said Emily McLemore, annual giving assistant in the Office of Development at SFA. “As the university celebrates its 98th anniversary Sept. 18, this event provides an opportunity for those who love SFA to give back to a university that has helped shape their lives.”
SFA President Dr. Scott Gordon will kick off the day with a special message posted on social media. The message will be followed with text animation videos to help donors recall 23 things that make SFA special.
“This year’s theme asks donors to consider their reasons to give back,” McLemore said. “We want to know what makes SFA special to each of our donors and provide them with the opportunity to support that area on Giving Day.”
Some of the areas donors might consider helping include the college or department from which they graduated, a student organization they were part of, the student food pantry, the Student Emergency Aid Fund, scholarships and more.
“Giving is a chain reaction,” McLemore said. “Each student who comes to SFA has access to incredible opportunities, both educational and extracurricular. It is our hope that alumni, faculty, staff, community members and friends of the university will help ensure future Lumberjacks have access to the same transformational experiences from which they benefited.”
The goal for Giving Day is to raise $100,000. Donations can be made online during Giving Day through a special webpage. Links to the webpage will be available in the social media posts. All donations are tax deductible.
“The ’23 Reasons for 24 Hours’ theme takes us back to our roots as an institution,” McLemore said. “Every donation is meaningful and has the potential to impact current and future SFA students. If you are not already connected with SFA through social media, join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sfasu.”
For more information about SFA’s first Giving Day, contact McLemore at (936) 468-7064 or emily.ausburn@sfasu.edu.
