A Pamplin supporter makes an online gift in the Pamplin Hall atrium during Virginia Tech’s Giving Day 2019.
A Pamplin supporter makes an online gift in the Pamplin Hall atrium during Virginia Tech’s Giving Day 2019.

Hundreds of donors supported the Pamplin College of Business during the second annual Virginia Tech Giving Day. During the one-day fundraising event, which began at noon on Tuesday, March 19, and continued until noon on Wednesday, March 20, Pamplin alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends showed their support through donations – nearly one thousand gifts totaling approximately a quarter of a million dollars – as well as tireless promotion of the college throughout the event.

“It was a great team effort by the entire Pamplin community to promote Giving Day,” said Elizabeth Mitchell, assistant dean of advancement for the Pamplin College of Business. “Thank you all who helped make this a great success and for helping to build a stronger Pamplin College of Business.”

The Pamplin Hall atrium was buzzing with activity throughout much of the 24-hour giving period. “Ambassadors” – faculty, staff, and students representing Pamplin – manned the Giving Day “command center,” helping to direct supporters to donation stations, answering questions, and handing out food and prizes to inquisitive fellow Hokies. Students with PRISM, Pamplin’s next generation marketing agency, worked round-the-clock promoting the event via social media channels. “VT Pamplin Presents: Our Voice” livestreamed an episode of the podcast from the atrium, taking calls from alumni while keeping listeners and onlookers engaged in the day’s activities. 

Kendyl Florence and Ben Gallaher during the live podcast of “VT Pamplin Presents: Our Voice” on March 19.
Kendyl Florence and Ben Gallaher during the live podcast of “VT Pamplin Presents: Our Voice” on March 19.

Overall, Virginia Tech raised more than $2.8 million from over 6,600 gifts during Giving Day. Participants made gifts ranging from $5 to tens of thousands of dollars, supporting hundreds of different departments and areas of the university.

Pamplin’s donor support was enough to place the college third in the Vice President Participation Leaderboard Challenge. According to the rules of the challenge, the top three areas with the most gifts at the end of Giving Day received an additional donation from Virginia Tech Vice President of Advancement Charlie Phlegar. Pamplin received an additional $500 thanks to the third place finish.

Giving Day ambassadors prepare for an influx of students in the Pamplin Hall atrium.
Giving Day ambassadors prepare for an influx of students in the Pamplin Hall atrium.

Challenge gifts such as the Vice President Participation Leaderboard Challenge played a large role in the success of Virginia Tech’s Giving Day 2019. Over 100 challenges – additional gifts made when certain participation benchmarks are met – were established by alumni and friends of the University, resulting in over $200,000 in additional donations.

Pamplin received an additional $25,000 thanks to challenge gifts from Apex Center for Entrepreneurs Advisory Board member Jonathon Perrelli (FIN ’95), and Pamplin Advisory Council members Chris Shean (ACCT ’87) and Jake Lutz (FIN ’78). Their challenges not only added to the amount of money raised for the college, but they also inspired others to give to ensure that the challenge goals would be met.

Among Pamplin’s departments and programs, Accounting & Information Systems received the most gifts. In second was the Department of Management, followed by the Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

The success of Giving Day, both at the college level as well as university-wide, showed that Hokies do live up to the Virginia Tech motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

Written by Jeremy Norman