University of Wisconsin-Madison’s “Day of the Badger,” a 1,848-minute online fundraising campaign supporting scholarships, academic programs, research and campus initiatives, returned this week. The fundraiser brought together fundraising efforts, campus programming and social media engagement in a university-wide show of support for students and academic programs.
The event began at 10:12 a.m. on April 14 and concluded at 5 p.m. on April 15. Its duration pays tribute to UW-Madison’s founding year, 1848 and is designed to encourage rapid, high-energy participation from students, alumni and supporters.
This year, the event brought in more than 4,552 total donors of over 7,300 gifts, adding up to $2,193,818 raised for more than 150 funds, programs and initiatives across the university. Donations made during the campaign were boosted through matching challenges and bonus funds, and 89 matches and challenges were met. This year, contributions could be doubled up to $13,000 due to support from three anonymous College of Letters & Science’s alumni.
In-person programming included department-led events and activities across campus. One of the primary events was L&S’s Day of the Badger Cafe in Birge Hall on April 15, where students and visitors received free coffee, hot cocoa, snacks and university merchandise. The event was hosted by L&S staff alongside Dean’s Ambassadors.
“We really started [Day of the Badger Cafe] as an opportunity to get L&S students together, get them involved with Day of the Badger, [and] help us celebrate Day of the Badger,” L&S Alumni Relations Strategist Quintin Jancola told The Daily Cardinal.
L&S described the initiative as a philanthropic campaign centered on expanding student opportunity. According to the college, donations support research experiences, academic programming and student resources, emphasizing the “ripple effects” of student success beyond graduation.
Jancola said Day of the Badger helps educate students on the importance of philanthropy on campus and how it impacts their experience, “from providing scholarships to helping us build some of the big buildings that we have been building across L&S.”
Dean’s Ambassador Sophia Grigsby told the Cardinal Day of the Badger is a good opportunity for students to give their appreciation to donors, mentioning the opening of Morgridge Hall this year and Levy Hall in the summer.
“Those are two ways where we really feel like their direct impact,” Grigsby said. “I think it's nice that students get the opportunity to share their appreciation, but also get a beverage and get some L&S swag.”
Several academic departments also organized their own Day of the Badger celebrations. The School of Journalism & Mass Communication provided donuts and a student appreciation wall where students shared what the SJMC has given them, and took photos to share with alumni and supporters.
SJMC Alumni Relations Officer Jaime Prey told the Cardinal about the strong alumni support for Day of the Badger including a $42,000 matching gift from the alumni board of visitors which was met through donor contributions.
Spirit initiatives further encouraged campus-wide participation such as wearing UW apparel to create a “sea of red” across campus. Donors also received digital rewards, including animations featuring Bucky Badger.
“Philanthropy is just really important to the college and to the university, so it's an opportunity for us to bring all the students together, get them involved in philanthropy and also just have fun,” Jancola said.
