York University Day surpassed expectations with weather suited for an outdoor celebration, a visiting coffee trailer serving up specially priced hot and cold coffee drinks, a brief history lesson during chapel, highlighting the rebirth of the school in 1956. A coalition of Panthers nationwide rallied to meet—and exceed—a $75,000 matching gift challenge, ultimately unlocking the full match and contributing an additional $15,000 beyond it. In total, $165,000 was raised, with the majority of those funds dedicated to student scholarships.
“The spirit on campus was extraordinary for our inaugural York University Day,” said Executive Vice President Jared Stark. “We could not have asked for a better response from alumni and friends to our appeal for special gifts celebrating this day and honoring all the people who have made York an amazing place to learn and grow. We had great participation both on and off campus for this event, which was the vision. We wanted to create a day where York University could be celebrated by our students and employees here but also celebrated by alumni and friends everywhere, and it came to life. To top it off, we had a beautiful, sunny day to make it especially memorable.”
Activities on campus included Retro Roast Coffee, a mobile coffee retailer based in Omaha, courtesy of the Alumni Love group led by trustee Ben Smail. In daily chapel, Dr. Jared Pack’s retelling of York’s history, set a tone of appreciation and celebration. The cafeteria was decorated and served a special menu highlighted by a 70-year anniversary cake. A weeklong competition pitting residence halls in a friendly contest to earn a new ping pong table for the winning hall ran Monday through Friday while faculty and staff passed out candy and snacks in their classrooms and offices.
Gifts donated for York University Day and designated for the York University Scholarship Fund were matched one-to-one with students being the beneficiaries through scholarship awards. In addition to YU Scholarship Fund gifts, other donations received were earmarked for Alumni Love, and the Smith and Mary Kite Center for Ministry, which will break ground on May 1.
Mark your calendars for the next YU Day celebration on March 20, 2027.
