Davidson Celebrates Record-Breaking Fundraising Totals in President Quillen’s Final Year

President Quillen Commencement 2022

Alumni, families, faculty, staff, students and friends of the college contributed to a banner fundraising year, and expanded opportunities for students, with fundraising totals reaching more than $114.9 million.

This year, Foster Loyer ’23 broke the Davidson free throw record when he made 46 in a row. Also this year, Davidson celebrated the highest number of Watson Fellows awarded to any school, with three. Excellence is evident in every corner of campus, and the college’s fundraising year is no exception.

This fiscal year, which ran July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, Davidson celebrated more than $114.9 million raised from alums, families, faculty, staff, students and friends. The next highest total was in fiscal year 2019, when the college raised $106.6 million in the last year of the Game Changers: Inspiring Leaders to Transform the World campaign. Within this year’s total is a record-breaking $23.1 million given to Davidson Athletics and more than $49.3 million given in honor of President Carol Quillen’s 11 years of leadership. More than $35.8 million was raised for scholarship support, and gifts and commitments to the endowment totaled more than $63.7 million.

“We accomplish amazing things at Davidson by working together and keeping our students at the forefront of what we do,” Quillen said. “This record-breaking support for scholarships, faculty and experiential opportunities for students stands as a prominent example of our community-driven collaboration. Congratulations to the staff who lead our fundraising efforts, and thank you to each person who made a gift this fiscal year. Every gift helps us to reach high as we strive to fulfill our distinctive primary purpose now and into the future.” 

Two out of three alums engaged with Davidson in a meaningful way over the past year. The Fund for Davidson surpassed $19 million for the first time, and this year’s alumni giving participation closed out at 45 percent, cementing the college’s long-standing leadership role in these important measures of strength and community. 

“I want to offer my sincere gratitude to our class ambassadors, reunion chairs and all volunteers who took the time this year to inspire giving to, and engagement with, the college,” said Morgan Bell Kee ’12, director of annual giving. “When I was a student, I had a loose understanding of the ways our alums make a lasting impact on student experiences, but now as an alum, I see how much effort goes into keeping people connected and then putting those connections to work for our campus. It is a privilege to serve alma mater and know our shared outcomes are making a difference.” 

This year, donors gave to every area of campus, including scholarships, which remain Davidson’s top fundraising priority, internships, the arts, diversity and inclusion initiatives, health and well-being, athletics and more. Many of this year’s priorities continue into the new fiscal year, and are focused on bringing the most talented students to campus and preparing them for future impact in society.

“I am so proud of the many ways our community stepped forward this year,” said Eileen Keeley ’89, vice president for college relations. “The year’s record-breaking fundraising success validates the aspirations of our incredible institution and inspires faculty, staff and students throughout the year. Thank you to all our supporters for playing such an important role in Davidson’s mission.”

Published

  • July 19, 2022