During the week of May 2-6, Taylor held its annual fundraising event, “I Love TU Week.”
The fundraiser is run by the university Advancement team, a group on campus composed of staff members that focus on donations and scholarships. The fundraising goes to the Taylor Fund, which controls financial aid and scholarships.
“Taylor Funds go into a pool giving students financial aid and scholarships, and overall make the Taylor education more affordable,” junior Kenley Blake, an employee of the department, said.
On Monday, donors matched whatever donations were given, meaning donations to the cause were doubled all week. Additionally, the other three days of the week, donations were tripled.
Thanks to a generous donor, all donations were tripled on Thursday and Friday as well.
The goal of this week was to remind friends of the university why they love Taylor and to build excitement on campus, ultimately resulting in increased donations.
“It’s a social campaign to generate student excitement, to get outside donors to donate, and remind people to reminisce about why they love Taylor,” Blake said.
Throughout the week, each day had different activities for the students to participate in and enjoy.
“Make it count Monday” included a scavenger hunt for a bobblehead of the Rev. Greg Dyson. Dyson is a familiar face at Taylor and is the vice president for Intercultural Leadership and Church Relations.
Advancement hid five bobbleheads on campus throughout the day and gave clues to students about where they were hidden on Taylor University’s Instagram story.
Advancement facilitated golf cart karaoke on Tuesday. Driven by Advancement workers, students and ambassadors, people hopped on a golf cart throughout the day and sang some of their favorite songs while catching a ride to class.
Wednesday featured an event called “Snack Attack,” where special treats were thrown to different students throughout the day.
There was also a student-led worship event held in the chapel on Wednesday night.
“Thankful Thursday” included a photo booth in the student center as well as tables that were giving out pins to students.
Lastly, Friday, or “Finale Friday,” as they call it, featured a celebration after chapel. The celebration included giving out cupcakes outside the student center on the Boren Plaza.
Blake said Advancement loved building excitement and reminding students of why Taylor is such a great university.
“My favorite thing about I Love Taylor week is the student engagement and creating an exciting and eventful week just reminding alumni, faculty and students of why Taylor is so special,” Blake said.
At the time this article was written, $221,134 had been donated to the Taylor fund.
