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Dins Day 2025 raises more than $900,000
Dins Day 2025 raised $919,916 for a variety of programs and scholarships in support of The Furman Advantage. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.
The Furman University community stepped up April 29 for the 11th annual Dins Day, a daylong celebration of Paladins’ pride and generosity.
This year, the outpouring of support saw 3,314 alumni, students, parents, employees and friends of the university contribute gifts totaling $919,916 to a variety of programs and scholarships, all in support of The Furman Advantage. Dins Day donations add to the Clearly Furman campaign goal of raising $476 million by next year.
To rally donors and build excitement for Dins Day, Furman hosted an Early Donor Challenge and a Top Fund Donor Challenge, spurring academic departments and athletics teams to encourage support of their respective areas. Cross Country/Track and Field won the Top Fund Donor Challenge, earning them an additional $10,000 for their first-place showing, while the Savita Nair Endowed Fund for WGSS will receive an additional $4,000 for having the most individual donors prior to Dins Day.
Students played Plinko on April 29 during the last day of class in celebration of Dins Day. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.
“From the surge of support during the Early Donor Challenge to the incredible momentum sparked by community-led matches and challenges, Dins Day was extraordinary,” said John Pezdek, director of annual giving. “We are beyond grateful for every single donor who stepped up. Your generosity doesn’t just fund opportunities, it fuels futures.”
On Dins Day, Furman kept a leaderboard showing which class years were inspiring the most individual donors. At the top was the Class of 2028 with 71 donors. The Class of 1973 brought in the most dollars, with more than a $100,000 raised this year.
Shon Herrick, interim vice president for development, has watched Dins Day grow since its inception 11 years ago. “The first year we did not know what to expect, and we were excited when more than 1,600 donors supported our students. This year 3,314 donors made Dins Day gifts, more than doubling the inaugural Dins Day,” Herrick said.
For a complete breakdown of giving, visit the 2025 Dins Day website.