The 11th annual Woods Giving Day at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) reached a historic level, raising $1,949,776 with the help of 1,511 donors during the culmination of this year’s event on February 10. The kickoff began last year with the Early Giving Challenge on December 1.
The money will support the Woods Fund, the College’s unrestricted fund that directly impacts students and College operations.
“We are ecstatic and very grateful to have such tremendous support for WGD ’26. The record number of volunteers and donors who participated in the day certainly made this a victory for the entire Woods community,” said Izzy Reel ’21, ’25MLD, advancement officer at SMWC.
This year’s Woods Giving Day goal was to raise $1 million from 1,200 unique donors. This helped SMWC to unlock a $450,000 challenge match from two generous alumni. It was just one of five challenges launched by alumni and community partners that played a significant role in helping to reach the goals for Woods Giving Day.
“Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is blessed with support from our students, alumni, friends, faculty and staff. It was on full display today, and the results are humbling. Seeing the flurry of activity in the Woods Student Center throughout the day and listening to the conversations volunteers had with our alumni was heartwarming. What a great day for SMWC,” said Brennan J. Randolph, president.
About 100 volunteer students, faculty, staff and alumni also helped the College by making calls to SMWC supporters in the Woods Student Center for about 12 hours on Tuesday.
”This experience is allowing me to learn fundraising as I engage with alumni,” said Darrius Hill, a sophomore sports management major from Vincennes, Ind., who was participating in his second Woods Giving Day event.
Hill was one of about 20 students from Dr. Tonya Sawyer’s Sports Communication and Sports Financing classes who made calls in the morning. Sawyer, who graduated in 2007, said it gave her students a chance to practice what they learn in class.
“They’ve been learning communication skills in my classes, and now they’re applying it in a very practical way today,” Sawyer said. “They’ll have to raise money someday in their careers, so this is a great way to do that, while also giving back to their college.”
Support from seven community partners for Woods Giving Day also contributed to the day’s success. Those partners included: Azzip Pizza, Bright Ideas, Chick-fil-A, Bear’s Coffee & Roasting Co., SMWC Dining, Pepsi Refreshment Services of Terre Haute and the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s been a great learning experience for us,” said Keith Richburg, a junior sport management major from Clarksville, Tenn. “I’m really practicing my social skills and getting to help SMWC. So, it’s a real win-win.”
More than a dozen students in Meredith Williams’ Introduction to Leadership class stepped up to make calls.
“One of the core topics we cover as future leaders going out from The Woods is the importance of servant leadership as a member of The Woods community and our home communities,” Williams said. “We are studying leadership in the classroom but also living it out side-by-side as we serve the College together. They will be reflecting on their experience as servant leaders as an assignment after they complete their service today.”
SMWC student organizations, departments and offices that had 100% giving include:
- Women’s Golf Team
- Men’s Golf Team
- Men’s Volleyball
- Softball Team
- Equestrian Team
- Women’s Volleyball Team
- Football Team
- Women’s Basketball Team
- Men’s Basketball Team
- Men’s Soccer Team
- Women’s Soccer Team
- Alumni Board of Directors
- The President’s Office
- The Office of Institutional Research
- The Office of Advancement and Marketing & Communications
- Career Center
- President’s Cabinet & Extended Cabinet
- Office of Admissions & Financial Aid
- Office of the Registrar
- Office of Information Technology
- Office of Student Affairs
- Student Counseling and Wellness Center
- Office of Provost
- Office of People, Success and Opportunities
- Office of Admissions
- Office of Student Success
- Office of Campus Ministry
- Office of Operations
- Division of Business and Leadership
- Faculty Resource Center
- Department of Ph.D. in Global Leadership
- Department of Education
- Equine Studies Department
- Presidential Corps
- Student Senate