Dins Day 2026 raises more than $1.3M for Furman University

Furman University’s supporters rallied and contributed more than $1.3 million in gifts during the 12th annual Dins Day campaign, a celebration of Paladin pride and generosity. 

On campus games engaged students, faculty and staff, academic departments called on their supporters, and athletics connected with Furman’s vast network of alumni, parents and friends to bring in gifts from more than 3,700 people, according to the Office of Development. Dins Day gifts add to the Clearly Furman campaign, with the goal to raise $476 million by the end of June. 

“This year’s Dins Day shows how deeply donor generosity strengthens the Furman experience,” said Shon Herrick, vice president for development. “These gifts directly support learning, mentorship and opportunities that define Furman, and the ongoing involvement of our faculty and staff helps turn our donors’ generosity into meaningful, lasting impact for students throughout the year.” 

To build that excitement on Dins Day, Furman hosted an Early Donor Challenge and Top Fund Donor Challenge. Volleyball took first place in the Early Donor Challenge and Women’s Lacrosse took second, earning additional funding for securing the most individual donors prior to Dins Day.  

“Every outreach, every message and every contribution on this day reinforces that we are more than a team, we’re a community united and invest in each other’s successes,” said Michelle Young, women’s volleyball head coach. “And those extra dollars have a direct, meaningful impact on the student-athlete experience, enhancing training resources, supporting travel and competition opportunities, and creating the environment our athletes need to grow, compete and succeed at the highest level.” 

The Top Fund Donor Challenge saw Furman’s athletics coming out on top, with Track and Cross Country, Volleyball, Strength and Conditioning, Men’s Tennis and Women’s Lacrosse taking the top five spots, and the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department earning honorable mention. 

Furman tracked which class years were inspiring the most donors and gifts on Dins Day, and the Class of 2028 topped the leaderboard for most individual donors, at 77. The Class of 2024 brought in the most dollars, at $26,343. 

The dollars raised on Dins Day fund student experiences that are at the core of a Furman education. The Tocqueville Center raised more than $60,00 this year to start a Tocqueville Scholars program “that will put intellectually promising students with a faculty mentor for a full academic year of reading and reflection in a one-on-one setting,” said Brent Nelsen, the Jane Fishburne Hipp Professor of politics and international affairs and director of the Tocqueville Center. 

“Dins Day is successful because it reflects the collective commitment of our campus community,” said Emily Theall, director of annual giving. “Our faculty and staff partners play an essential role throughout the year, engaging donors, championing their programs and helping ensure that every gift directly enhances the Furman experience for our students.”

For a complete breakdown of giving, visit the 2026 Dins Digest website.