GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College set marks for donors and funds raised with Thursday’s 2024 Match Day event Tomcat Games school officials confirmed Monday.
670 donors contributed $280,172 to Match Day. It is successive years with more than 600 donors. In 2023, the 636 donor total was the first time the event topped 600. This year’s total raised is an 18 percent increase over the previous fundraising record of $238,000, which was set in 2022.
Fundraiser challenges seeking matching donations from the members of fraternities and sororities and clubs and organizations added a dose of competition and rivalry to the event. Those affinity groups compete each year to be the top donating organization, with Phi Theta Phi winning the Greek Challenge for the top fraternity and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority with the most donors this year. 346 people with Greek connections contributed to Match Day.
Surpassing all 15 of the match challenges added $83,000 to the total donations made that day.
“Reflecting on the incredible turnout this Match Day, I’m elated to share my gratitude for the overwhelming support from our generous donors. With an unprecedented level of contributions, we’re empowered to continue supporting the College,” David Mogle, director of the Thiel Fund, said. “This incredible generosity fuels tangible change in the lives of countless students we serve. To each benefactor who stepped up, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation. This commitment propels us forward.”
Since its inception in 2014, the giving event has raised more than $1.9 million for the College.
“As we celebrate this remarkable day, the profound investment in our College serves as a testament to its enduring significance. This collective fundraising endeavor reflects the unwavering support from our community, driven by a shared commitment to advancing the College,” said Roberta Leonard, Vice President for College Advancement. “That more than half our donors had connections to Greek organizations and another third of donors had ties to athletic teams and other co-curricular activities reminds us all that the growth and opportunities for leadership students find at Thiel College happen in more places than just the classroom. The unwavering dedication of alumni, employees and friends of the College embodies the true spirit of community. A special thank you goes out to the our alumni leaders who established match challenges that inspired the good-natured competitive philanthropy that ultimately benefits all students.”
Gifts for Match Day go to the College’s Thiel Fund, which is the largest source of unrestricted funds at the College. The Thiel Fund is used to support the areas of greatest need at the College, funding need-based scholarships, academic programming, athletics, and campus improvements. This fund annually provides for unforeseen expenses, as well as student needs and special opportunities.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.