Emporia State University's Day of Giving Highlights Community Impact and Shared Experiences
Emporia, KS (02/02/2026) — Emporia State University will host its annual Day of Giving on Wednesday, Feb.11, inviting alumni, friends and community members to support the university and the many ways it enriches life in Emporia.
Early giving opens Wednesday, Feb. 4, and continues through Day of Giving on Feb.11, allowing supporters to make an impact throughout the week.
Held during Founders' Week, Day of Giving celebrates Emporia State's legacy while investing in the future, not only for students, but for the broader Emporia community.
"When you support Emporia State, you're supporting the entire Emporia community," said Brandy Clarke, assistant director of annual giving for the Emporia State University Foundation. "From the Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center and the Peterson Planetarium to music concerts, athletic events and the Glass Guild Blowout, the university offers experiences that are open to and enjoyed by our community. Those activities bring more than 20,000 visitors to Emporia each year, strengthening our local businesses, hotels and overall quality of life."
New for 2026, the ESU Foundation worked closely with campus leadership to identify priority needs across academic colleges, student services and programs.
Donors can direct their gifts to causes that matter most to them, including:
- Student scholarships and emergency support
- Academic colleges and departments
- Athletics and student organizations
- Community-facing programs and special initiatives
Throughout the day, several matching gifts and giving challenges will help increase donor impact, making every contribution, regardless of size, meaningful. There will be prizes and drawings as well.
Day of Giving also leads into Founders' Day, which will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 13, honoring Emporia State's history and its continued commitment to serving students and the community.
"Emporia State has always been a point of pride for Emporia," Clarke said. "Day of Giving is an opportunity for everyone including alumni, families, businesses and neighbors to invest in the experiences, opportunities and shared spaces that make our community stronger."
To learn more or make a gift on Day of Giving, visit emporia.edu/dayofgiving.
About Emporia State University
Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, Library and Information Management and Library and Archives, Science and Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.
ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.
For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.
Emporia State University
Gwendolynne Larson, ESU director of media relations, (620) 341-5528, glarson1@emporia.eduShare this Story
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