5/01 Challenge seeks threepeat

Following the success of the last two 5/01 Challenges, volunteers and staff are gearing up for this year’s 24-hour fundraising challenge, encouraging members of the Skidmore community (alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and seniors) to support their favorite programs at Skidmore.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, all gifts of any size will count toward the goal of reaching 2,000 donors in 24 hours, securing $500,000 in 24 hours. Throughout the day, several faculty will present webinars, Skids the Thoroughbred mascot will be celebrating around town and on campus, and members of the President's Cabinet will be serving snacks at a campuswide study break.

New this year, alumni are encouraged to call in their gifts for a chance to speak with “celebrity operators” such as Sheldon Solomon, professor of psychology; Gail Cummings-Danson, director of athletics; Robin Adams ’00, associate director for leadership activities; and John Brueggemann, professor of sociology. 

Regional events will be held on 5/01 at popular London, New York City, Seattle, and Chicago watering holes, allowing alumni to celebrate together. Members of the Skidmore community abroad in Paris, Madrid, and Florence will also join the fun with their own Skidmore gatherings including Skidmore To-Go boxes filled with goodies to help them celebrate Skidmore-style.

Last year’s 5/01 24-Hour Challenge set a new single-day record for gifts—generating enough funding for five full scholarships, 65 summer research collaborations, or 68 funded internships. According to Lori Eastman, director of development, "We are looking forward to this challenge: 5/01 is a great day to celebrate Skidmore and all that our students and graduates accomplish in the world. This is a tremendous opportunity for our donors to support an aspect of the College that is particularly meaningful to them—and to help us secure a half a million dollars for our students and faculty."

Keep tabs on the day’s activities by liking the Skidmore College Alumni Facebook page or following @SkidmoreCollege on Twitter using #Skidmore501. For more, click here.