Arcadia University’s UKnightedTuesday on November 28-29, its ninth annual day(s) of giving, achieved a record $621,034 from 425 donors in support of the university and its students. 

For 1,853 minutes, in honor of the university’s 1853 founding as Beaver College, the Arcadia community from across the country and around the world came together to exceed an achievement goal of $525,000. 

This comes on the heels of exceeding last year’s then-record $510,066.

Brigette A. Bryant, vice president for Development and Alumni Engagement, said the University wants to do better each year than the previous year.  

“How people give – where they give, and how they show up – manifests in support of students, new buildings, renovations, new spaces, research, the student experience, and many, many other things,” said Bryant in her remarks at a university celebration of UKnightedTuesday in the Commons Great Room. “For us, UKnighted Tuesday is a powerful manifestation of what we do and who we are.”

“It’s with a humble heart that I thank our donors,” she added. “Giving is not mandatory, it is never forced, and it should never be coerced. Philanthropy at its best is giving freely, it is given with love.”

This year’s total was bolstered by a generous $70,000 contribution from Carol W. Young ‘54, who passed away this year and left this gift for the university she loved. In response and in gratitude, Arcadia is excited to announce the creation of the Carol W. Young ‘54 Endowed Scholarship. 

“Philanthropy can be seen as a reflection of our values,” said Bryant. “People tend to give where they want to have an impact. Therefore, what we do philanthropically is a reflection of who we are.”

The university also announced the establishment of the Carolyn Richardson Hodges ‘69 Study Abroad Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship will support an undergraduate student who has taken at least one semester of language study and who will also be studying abroad. 

Hodges, a 1969 graduate of Beaver College, was a French major who studied in both Germany and France. She spent 37 years teaching at the University of Tennessee and was the first African-American dean of the university’s Graduate School. She retired in 2019 as Professor of German Emerita and Vice Provost and Dean Emerita. 

“Her travels overseas made a profound impact on her life and hopes her award will encourage future generations of students to embrace the adventures and educational opportunities that travel offers,” said Denis Brosnan, associate vice president for Philanthropic Giving.

This year, in addition to featuring The Fund for Arcadia, the university also featured The Rebecca L. Craik Faculty Fellowship, along with a series of student travel-themed funds representing various parts of our university. Donors also could designate other endeavors to support.

At the Thank-a-Thon event on Nov. 30, President Ajay Nair recognized that this achievement would not have been possible without the tremendous effort of our UKnightedTuesday Advocates. These volunteers came from across the university community, including students, staff, alumni, and friends of Arcadia.

“I’m grateful to all who gave their time, talent, and of course, their treasure to make this such a success,” said President Nair. “What makes UKnightedTuesday so special is right there in the name: united. It’s a unified effort of our community to make a difference in the lives of Arcadia students. Whether donors support the Fund for Arcadia or any of our featured funds, students are the direct beneficiaries.

“It’s not the size of the gift, but the act of generosity that matters,” he added. “When supporters of Arcadia come together and pool their resources, it has a real and lasting impact. Collective giving works. This is a day for all Arcadians to be extremely proud.”