On April 4, UT Dallas alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends contributed $199,143 to students and initiatives across campus during the University’s inaugural Comets Giving Day, an 18-hour online fundraising drive.

“Beyond the opportunity to raise funds for the University,  this initiative connected the entire UT Dallas community through a common goal of supporting schools, centers, scholarships, athletics and other programs,” said Dr. Kyle Edgington PhD’13, vice president for development and alumni relations at UT Dallas.

Dollars raised were tracked, leaderboard-style, on the University’s giving day website, and the campaign included matching opportunities along with school and staff contests to increase the impact of contributions. Donors were also able to unlock bonus funds by meeting challenges sponsored by various supporters, and some gifts even qualified for additional matching funds.

Comets answered the call on the University’s inaugural Giving Day, making 1,246 gifts totaling $199,143 in just 18 hours.

Carter Pate MS’03, retired chief executive officer of MV Transportation in Dallas, and his wife, Angela, committed to a challenge gift that is helping to establish the first accounting scholarship in the Naveen Jindal School of Management.

“Alumni giving is important to the rankings — even if it’s $20 a month or whatever you can afford,” said Pate, a 2015 Distinguished Alumnus.

Comets Giving Day will occur annually on the first Tuesday in April, with the 2018 event planned for April 3. There are several ways to be part of the day in person, as well as online. Giving stations throughout campus will provide opportunities to make gifts, thank donors and spread the word on social media.

Interested participants can also contribute to the campaign beyond donations by signing up to serve as an ambassador to spread the word and encourage giving.