Arcadians UKNIGHT for Third Annual Day of Giving

By Caitlin Burns | November 30, 2017

On Nov. 28, 903 members of the Arcadia University community around the world “uknighted” for the third annual Day of Giving event.

With the UKNIGHT 1 Day campaign focused on community participation, not dollars, this year’s goal of 700 donors was far surpassed in the 24-hour period. Collectively, the Arcadia community donated $40,410 for the Fund for Arcadia, which provides funding for university-wide programs and resources.

“It’s wonderful to see the Arcadia community come together to support their University,” said Interim President Hank Brown. “UKNIGHT 1 Day is about everyone joining together, no matter where they’re located, to support the ideas and concepts behind the Arcadia Promise.”

The UKNIGHT 1 Day campaign was part of the worldwide Giving Tuesday, a day of charitable giving formed in response to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and resulted in an extraordinarily positive show of support by students, alumni, trustees, faculty, staff, community members, and friends of Arcadia University.

“Arcadia will always be my home-away-from-home,” wrote William Peitz ’13 on the donation thread. “I will always support its endeavors to create an environment where students can learn, live, and grow as individuals.”

UKNIGHT 1 Day activities on campus engaged a number of students, faculty, staff, and alumni and included “AUber” rides to class, massages by alumna Becky Martin ’98, Arcadia swag giveaways, Plinko games, selfie stations, and “Smooch a Pooch” playtime with puppies outside the Commons. Additionally, community members could pose with the Knight around campus.

“We are grateful to the entire Arcadia family of students and alumni, faculty and staff members, trustees, parents, and friends who participated in this year’s Day of Giving,” said Jeff Spence, assistant vice president of Alumni Engagement and Communications. “This campaign shows that we are a united, global community.”