Second Annual CofC Day Celebrates Engagement and Giving

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On Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, the College of Charleston held its second annual CofC Day, celebrating gifts totaling $9.69 million. During the 24 hours of giving, 1,750 donors stepped forward, surpassing the College’s goal of 1,500 donors, and unlocked an anonymous pledge of $1.5 million dollars.

Alumna Lauren Arnott appeared with Clyde the Cougar during the CofC Day fundraising livestream. (Photo by Mike Ledford)

“Our second annual CofC day was a tremendous success with the amazing engagement of our students, families, alumni, faculty, staff and community partners,” says President Andrew T. Hsu. “Their generous contributions and their widespread participation in our day of giving are an investment in our great institution’s present and future. Each gift matters and will help us transform the College of Charleston into an even greater version of itself.”

CofC Day kicked off at 12:01 a.m. with 12 giving challenges that ranged from the Parent’s Challenge to the Honor’s College Match. All the challenges were met, including one by four families on the Parents Advisory Council who came together to offer a match of $30,000 to the Parent’s Fund if 250 parents donated to the fund.

“My wife, Cindy, and I are big believers in giving back to charities, causes and institutions who do meaningful work,” says CofC parent Jason H. Mudd. “When it comes to higher education, we can think of no finer place to give, as the education of our children and of future generations is what sets the world up as a better place to live. When we think of the College of Charleston, we love the overall ‘education’ that our daughter, Cami, is receiving. Not only is she learning via classwork — and wonderful professors, but she is getting an education as a young adult in an environment that challenges her above and beyond pure academics. She’s a part of a thriving community.”

Live-streamed events at noon and 7 p.m. featured highlights such as a cooking demonstration with men’s basketball Coach Earl Grant, who shared his hibachi talents. Grant spoke about the support his athletes receive through the Cougar Relief Fund, which, thanks to 111 donors, generated more than $60,000 in gifts. The evening broadcast was hosted by three alumni anchors, Lauren Arnott ’13, Shaun Kraisman ’12 and Alex Lee ’13 with recordings of the annual Alumni Awards.

Otto B. German gives an acceptance speech after being recognized with the 2020 Alumni Award of Honor.

Otto B. German ’73, who retired in 2019 after 46 years of service to the College, received the 2020 Alumni Award of Honor. In his acceptance speech, German recalled the support he received as an African American college athlete in the 1970s from mentors like former CofC President Theodore Stern, who encouraged him to be positive and give something positive back to society — advice German says was the driving force behind his actions. To pay it forward, German pledged a gift to the Alumni Scholarship for Athletics in honor of his late wife, Albertha W. German, and mother, Elliott German Bryan.

At the end of the day, the Scholarship Enrichment Fund reached the top of the leaderboard, with more than $4 million dollars. Among other things, the fund provides immediate-use merit and need-based scholarships and awards. The largest number of donors, 386, gave to the CofC Fund, which represents the area of greatest need on campus.

Whether it was a donation of $5 or $5,000, the generosity exhibited throughout the day was a reminder of our collective desire to make a difference for CofC students and the campus community.

Thank you for giving back and celebrating the College with us on CofC Day!