{"id":158037,"date":"2026-04-20T14:16:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T19:16:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=158037"},"modified":"2026-04-20T14:16:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T19:16:37","slug":"ole-miss-giving-day-2026-sets-participation-record","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/ole-miss-giving-day-2026-sets-participation-record\/","title":{"rendered":"Ole Miss Giving Day 2026 Sets Participation Record"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends raise nearly $1.8 million through a record 3,223 gifts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

University of Mississippi<\/strong> alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends stepped up again during Giving Day 2026<\/strong>, with a record 3,223 gifts providing $1,789,552 for programs, scholarships and student opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spanning 1 day, 8 hours and 48 minutes,\u00a0Giving Day<\/a> began at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 14 in honor of the university’s 1848 founding. In its seventh year, the celebration has become a favorite tradition \u2013 part philanthropy, part fun \u2013 and a testament to the\u00a0Ole Miss<\/a>\u00a0community’s enduring spirit of giving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Giving Day is always special because it reminds us of what can be achieved when the Ole Miss family comes together,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce<\/strong> said. “Generosity is indeed a hallmark of our community, and we’ve demonstrated that again this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The gifts made over the past two days will open doors and lift our students toward opportunities they may not have imagined for themselves. I am incredibly grateful for the thousands of donors who have shown up for our students and our university.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charlotte Parks, vice chancellor for development, said the numbers tell a deeper story about connection and pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The response to this year’s Giving Day reflects the extraordinary passion of the Ole Miss community,” Parks said. “Setting a record for participation speaks to how our alumni, parents, and friends care about our students and our future. Every challenge and gift will make a meaningful impact across campus.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We’re deeply grateful to everyone who showed up with such pride and generosity.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viewers across the country tuned into a live webcast featuring university leaders, academic demonstrations, creative showcases and student stories, each spotlighting how philanthropy transforms lives at Ole Miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friendly competition fueled momentum across campus. Every school and unit got involved, with the\u00a0School of Applied Sciences<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>standing out by leading all units with 446 donors, far surpassing its previous high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most popular causes was Ole Miss READY<\/a>, a program expanding access to higher education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities<\/a>, opening doors many families once thought closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The generosity on display reflects who Ole Miss supporters have always been, said Wendell Weakley<\/strong>, CEO of the UM Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Our Ole Miss family never fails to help students excel,” Weakley said. “This support will pay exceptional dividends for the university for decades to come.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many gifts received were several that will shape the future of the university:<\/p>\n\n\n\n