Northwest students encouraged to thank alumni, donors April 13

Northwest students signed postcards to thank donors during the University's Thank a Donor Day in 2019. This year, Northwest is again encouraging the University community to show appreciation for donors through their participation in a series of activities. (Photo by Brandon Bland/Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest Missouri State University will celebrate the alumni and friends who contribute generously to the University in support of scholarships, campus facilities and the value of a college degree during its seventh annual Thank a Donor Day.

All in-person Thank a Donor Day activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, in the J.W. Jones Student Union. Students will have the opportunity to share their gratitude by submitting a virtual thank-you note, signing a thank-you banner, recording a video message for donors and taking a picture at a photo booth.

Students also may hitch a ride on a golf cart to answer trivia questions related to private support and have a chance at winning prizes. Additionally, yard signs will be placed throughout campus to educate students on the positive impact private support has had on students and the Northwest community.

On its social media channels, Northwest will share videos of the University community showing gratitude to donors. Community members and students are encouraged to submit online thank you messages that also will be highlighted on Northwest social media channels.

The annual event draws attention to the impact that alumni support has throughout the University and actively engages students in the stewardship of alumni donors.

“Thank a Donor Day is very special because it allows the entire community to come together and show appreciation for our loyal donors,” Kala Dixon, Northwest’s annual giving and alumni relations specialist, said. “Northwest would not be the place it is today without our donors, so we are excited to show them how much they mean to us.”

Northwest Foundation Inc., the fundraising arm of Northwest, again achieved a high level of scholarship and distribution while securing $5.08 million in donor funding during Fiscal Year 2020. Scholarship support remains a central mission of the Foundation, which awarded $1.11 million in financial assistance through 1,383 scholarships during FY20. With increases for the second consecutive year, those numbers represent the highest dollar amount awarded in the history of the Foundation as well as the highest number of donor-funded scholarships awarded.

Additionally, the Foundation’s success parallels with its Forever Green campaign, which launched publicly in October 2019 with a goal of raising $45 million for University initiatives centered on academic excellence, scholarships, student life and other donor-directed gifts. The campaign, which will close this summer, has raised more than $53 million to date.

“Thank a Donor Day has become a Northwest tradition,” Dr. Bob Machovsky, Northwest’s director of alumni relations and annual giving, said. “For six years the Northwest community has united to pay tribute to those that have generously given back to the University. This public day of thanks is one that allows all of the Northwest community to show their gratitude.”

For more information about the event, contact Machovsky at rmachov@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1248.