By Katie Oglesby, Editor-in-Chief
Gettysburgives, an annual fundraising event for the College, was held between Wednesday and Thursday for 36 hours. As of Friday morning, the event raised $904,695, but gifts were still being counted.
College holds Gettysburgives event outside on Stine Lake on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 (Photo Katie Oglesby/The Gettysburgian)
Director of Annual Giving Nicki West noted that the event used to be held in February, but was moved to be closer to Founder’s Day, Friday, April 7, when the College celebrates 191 years.
West said that the date change would also help to involve more of campus due to the ability to fundraise through outdoor events, such as Wednesday’s community-wide event on Stine Lake, the first of its kind for the fundraiser.
This event included food trucks, lawn games, live music, and a thank you banner and notecards for students to sign. Everything at the event was free, including Ziggy’s Donutz, Uncle Moe’s Soul Food and Banjo’s BBQ, with the hopes of bringing the campus together to celebrate Gettysburgives. Staff all over campus highlighted the 36-hour event by wearing “Gettysburgives” T-shirts that day.
Students line up for food trucks at Stine Lake Gettysburgives event on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 (Photo Katie Oglesby/The Gettysburgian)
Before the 36-hour event began, West shared that College Advancement and Annual Giving expected to raise between $700,000 and $750,000. The College hoped to have over 3,000 donors. West explained that achieving this amount of donors would unlock sponsor funds. Communication from Annual Giving shared that there were around 2,600 donors.
The final totals will be shared with the College next week. Though, West initially anticipated that over a million dollars would be raised through the 36-hour period donations and the matching funds.
