Asia Perry
palmettoreport@gmail.com

(Rock Hill, S.C.) — Winthrop University hosted its first Giving Day, which featured a 24-hour campaign to encourage financial support to the school.

The event, April 6, was combined with Winthrop Day, which features activities to promote the university to prospective students who have been admitted to the school.

The effort is part of President Dan Mahony’s plan to increase support and improve the financial heath of Winthrop.

Shannon Brown, annual philanthropy manager for Winthrop, said individual donations can help fill gaps in funding from other sources, such as state funds, so the school doesn’t have to raise tuition.

“Looking at that data and statistics and trying to find something that was fun, quick, doesn’t have to be any specific large amount, because sometimes giving can be a little overwhelming for people,” said Brown.

She said Giving Day is one way to reach out to young alumni and collect data that could allow the school to find ways to get young alumni more involved in the future.

Shaq Armstrong, a junior at Winthrop, was one of the students who participated in the day long event.

“It was pretty cool that everyone else was giving back and to see that they had multiple events,” said Armstrong.

He said he feels everyone should donate once a year to their school as a way to give back.

Donations were accepted via mail, phone and online.

Winthrop also offers a “why give” section on its website for people interested in more information about gifts to the university.

Brown said the school plans to repeat Giving Day next year.