Auburn University’s Tiger Giving Day donors break records

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Nearly 4,000 donors supported Auburn University’s fourth Tiger Giving Day, with the number of donors, gifts and funded projects breaking previous Tiger Giving Day records.

The 24-hour fundraising event on Feb. 21 featured 37 projects that ranged from research studies to student-led initiatives. Of the projects featured, 31 were fully funded, with the remaining projects receiving more than 50 percent of their needed funds.

Donors did not limit their philanthropy, often giving to multiple projects. For John Pedersoli, a 1982 graduate and current parent of an Auburn student, the love for Auburn and the ideal it represents is strong.

“I love giving on Tiger Giving Day,” Pedersoli said. “It’s important to recognize, support and give encouragement to those students, professors and programs that hope to improve our lives through worthy research.”

For Jordan Roberts, the faculty member leading the Auburn Off Road team in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, receiving funding for needed training tools means a great deal and gives the team the best resources to learn and compete—providing safe and consistent methods in their shops.

“These gifts connect the Auburn engineering students who will use this equipment to the Auburn Family, some of whom are team alumni,” Roberts said.

Mark Vanstrum, a 1979 graduate, noted that the array of projects to choose from aligned with Auburn’s mission of outreach in Alabama, the nation and the world as a land-, sea- and space-grant university.

“I chose Tiger Giving Day projects that relate to that mission in some way,” Vanstrum said. “Not only do my donations assist our talented students, faculty and staff, they let me connect materially to the fulfillment of the outreach mission.”

Tiger Giving Day enabled the following projects:

  • War Eagle Women in the Department of Aviation can now enter two teams in the Air Race Classic, a 2,400-mile air race. Funds raised will supply fuel, flight costs, food, lodging and training. ($29,526 raised from 163 donors)

  • Dr. Amal Kaddoumi in the Harrison School of Pharmacy can now enroll people in an initial pilot study to prevent and slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease with a compound found in olive oil. ($17,240 raised from 270 donors)

  • Two graduate students from India will be hosted as part of the Tiger University Consortium, a group of land-grant universities who are working to save wild tigers. ($10,840 raised from 146 donors)

  • The Wheelchair Basketball team can purchase pre-habilitation and rehabilitation medical equipment for its student-athletes. ($20,645 raised from 257 donors)

  • Researchers can purchase a freeze dryer to aid in their research into new antibiotics from soil. ($15,866 raised from 182 donors)

  • The Auburn Engineers Without Borders chapter can bring sustainable water resources to a village in Bolivia. ($46,326 raised from 231 donors)

  • Environmental Design students will have materials to create two structures on campus that test their hypothesis that music and design can improve mental health. ($8,195 raised from 119 donors)

  • The Davis Arboretum bridge can be rebuilt and widened using sustainable materials, allowing access for everyone. ($10,000 raised from 108 donors)

  • The Kreher Preserve can provide nesting boxes, cameras, binoculars and signage for its birding trail. ($6,150 raised from 72 donors)

  • Canine Performance Sciences’ 7-week to 6-month-old puppies can now have a dedicated classroom, customized for their age group and development needs. ($16,690 raised from 188 donors)

  • The Alabama 4-H Science School can purchase program materials and classroom equipment to meet growing needs. ($4,652 raised from 85 donors)

  • The Auburn Bee Lab can expand its research, thanks to new tools and materials. ($9,535 raised from 161 donors)

  • Campus Kitchens can prepare, package and deliver more meals to food insecure residents in the Auburn/Opelika area. ($10,000 raised from 165 donors)

  • The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) can enhance adult learning with new classroom equipment for Sunny Slope. ($4,320 raised from 53 donors)

  • A total of 80 school buses have been sponsored to transport 3,600 school children to select performances at the Gogue Performing Arts Center. ($20,925 raised from 183 donors)

  • The Chemical Engineering Car Team can now redesign, research and improve safety measures for their car in the annual regional Chem-E Car Competition. ($4,135 raised from 46 donors)

  • The Equestrian Club can purchase needed horse and rider equipment. ($17,810 raised from 149 donors)

  • STEM students in the Global Learning Immersion for Diverse Experience (GLIDE) can study water quality while enhancing their cultural awareness in the Dominican Republic. ($10,910 raised from 86 donors)

  • The Student Alumni Association can provide four student scholarships to rising seniors. ($4,357 raised from 79 donors)

  • The Harbert College of Business can provide additional scholarships to business students with financial need. ($29,005 raised from 332 donors)

  • Auburn University’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers can provide travel and lodging costs for students to attend the NSBE Convention to interview for jobs, internships and graduate school. ($10,950 raised from 117 donors)

  • The Auburn University School of Nursing can provide 10-plus full camperships for High School Nursing Camp. ($11,650 raised from 106 donors)

  • Biomedical engineering students can design and build an innovative medical device prototype to compete in the National Biomedical Engineering Society Competition. ($3,385 raised from 48 donors)

  • Plainsman’s Prep can offset program fees for 10 students. ($2,430 raised from 23 donors)

  • Student-athletes can rehab faster with a new BTE Eccentron, equipment that makes rehabilitation from lower extremity injuries more effective and efficient. ($33,918 raised from 245 donors)

  • A new community clinic at the Boykin Community Center in Auburn can be outfitted with furniture, equipment and supplies. ($14,105 raised from 181 donors)

  • The Honors College week of service can provide safety equipment, meals, educational materials, films and speakers for next year’s participants. ($19,415 raised from 75 donors)

  • The O Grows local food project can build a portable aquaponics container to educate local communities about food and sustainability. ($14,965 raised from 150 donors)

  • The College of Human Sciences can provide new charged study spaces for students in Spidle Hall. ($21,675 raised from 149 donors)

  • The Auburn Off Road Racing team can purchase a welding simulator. ($10,060 raised from 100 donors)

  • Scholarships can be provided for first-generation students by the Auburn Alumni Association. ($25,055 raised from 284 donors)

  • Solar-powered charging tables can be built and installed around the Student Center and Greenspace. ($5,200 raised from 81 donors)

  • The Gene Machine can expand their genetic screening and counseling services to even more Alabama counties. ($13,248 raised from 218 donors)

  • The Model United Nations team can travel and compete. ($3,780 raised from 56 donors)

  • Researchers can further their work to capture carbon dioxide and turn it into a usable food and fuel resource. ($10,205 raised from 160 donors)

  • Work can begin by Industrial + Graphic Design students to create an interactive public art piece for the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. ($7,665 raised from 105 donors)

  • Ralph Brown Draughon Library can install treadmill walking workstations and stationary bicycle desks. ($6,512 raised from 72 donors)

All projects and their updates can be viewed at TigerGiving.org.

Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.