OXFORD, Miss. – As the holiday season approaches, the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy is planning an online giving day for Friday (Nov. 14).
The Ole Miss Pharmacy Day of Thanks is a 24-hour initiative to raise funds for student, faculty and research support. The focus is on participation rather than raising a specific monetary amount.
“We wanted to give people an easy and convenient way to give back, no matter the size of their gift,” said David D. Allen, the school’s dean. “We’re encouraging all members of the Ole Miss pharmacy family to donate during the Day of Thanks to reflect their support and passion for our amazing school.”
The school will use an online crowdfunding platform to accept donations. The platform was recognized for successfully raising funds to replace Vaught-Hemingway Stadium’s goal posts after the Ole Miss-Alabama game on Oct. 4.
“Crowdfunding is a new and exciting way to reach out to our alumni and friends,” said Raina McClure, the school’s development director. “We are hoping this initiative will create an atmosphere of thankfulness and philanthropic generosity that will support many different critical needs for the School of Pharmacy.”
Donations of any amount are encouraged. Gifts will be unrestricted, which allows the dean to designate them for the school’s most important projects. These funds have supported students, faculty members and recruitment of new faculty.
The event will be publicized on various social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and McClure said she anticipates a large number of young alumni and student donors who are active on sites such as these.
“Reaching our participation goal will rely on a strong social media response from our donors,” McClure said. “We hope contributors will use social media to share their excitement. They can recognize a professor or staff member, scientist, student, fellow graduate or an aspect of their pharmacy school experience that had a particular impact on their success.”
Perks will be provided for different levels of giving, which range from VIP tailgate passes to private tours of new facilities at the pharmacy school.
For more information on the initiative, contact McClure at rmcclure@olemiss.edu, or to make a donation, visit https://ignite.olemiss.edu/pharmthanks.