By Brianna Wallen
News Editor
photos | William Gagné
Students celebrating Day of Caring at the festival on the first floor of the Adanti Student Center on April 3.
In a display of community spirit, the 10th annual Day of Caring surpassed all expectations, by setting a new record with 2,001 contributors.
“We raised $866,761–our second-highest total to date!” Interim President Dwayne Smith said in an announcement.
Among the 2,001 donors, Smith highlighted that 261 student-scholars contributed an impressive $9,018, setting a new all-time high for student participation.
To enhance donations from students, Smith ignited a competition between students with his “Dr. D Class Challenge.”
With the junior class coming out on top, Smith donated $15,000 to support the programs and campus resources they selected.
“Congratulations to the Class of 2026, who excelled with the most donors and earned $5,000 to put toward the fund of their choice,” Smith said. “You’ve set an inspiring example for your peers!”
From first-year students to alumni, the university community came together with a sense of passion and generosity on April 3 for the Day of Caring, giving back to support and uplift one another.
Kristen Welton, associate director for Annual Giving, shared her experience of organizing the university’s largest fundraising event.
“We got the word out a little early this year, so people are ready,” Welton said. “So, we started getting donations a little earlier this year than usual.”
With the community raising more $911,000 last year during the Day of Caring, Welton said the more money that is raised can better support a student’s education and overall well-being.
“We have four priority funds, which is the Southern Fund and the Southern Scholarship Fund,” Welton said. “Then we have two student support programs, SOAR and the SOS program.
Welton emphasized that the main program for SOS (Support Our Students) is the campus food pantry while SOAR (Support, Opportunites, Access, and Resilience), prioirtizes helping and offering resources to current and potential students in need.
According to the university website, the money raised from last year helped support financial aid for internships, funded research projects, enhanced teaching technology, athletic equipment and increased scholarship opportunities by over $100,000.
Welton said what started as an event to raise money for the School of Business, evolved into a community wide movement.
She particularly highlighted how this shift became evident in 2020, when students were attending remotely and needed access to technology and the internet.
“They kind of shifted and made it Day of Caring, because it was really still an event where people needed help more than ever,” Welton said. “It was kind of building from there and seeing where the greatest need was for the student population.”
Since this is Welton’s first year celebrating the Day of Caring event, she said she is excited to celebrate.
A festival to celebrate Day of Caring on Thursday, students were able to come out and enjoy carnival foods.
“It’s a fun day to really put that all in the spotlight. All of the great things that the students do here,” Welton said.
Welton said she is also looking forward to witnessing the continued impact it has on the community, as well as inspire both staff and students to deepen their commitment to supporting one another.
“I hope staff remember why they’re here and that they’re here to teach students and to help them grow and learn and go on to their professions,” Welton said.
Welton also shared her hope that the event would leave a memorable mark on everyone involved.
“I hope it’s something that they remember from Southern,” Welton said. “That it was a fun day but also showed that the whole campus community supported them and supported Southern and what a big part of that Southern is to this whole area and for faculty and staff.”
Business administration major Winston Ware, a junior and business administration major Kathren Ekberg, a senior, running a booth at the festival.
