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The 2020 Cor Challenge, which ran Feb. 11 - 15, was the most successful Cor Challenge ever in terms of both number of donors and dollars received. With 732 donors (a 3.8% increase over 2019), it raised a total of $200,185 (a 7.4% increase over 2019).
The Cor Challenge began in 2012 as the Money Bomb, with 564 alumni donors raising $74,369.12 for the Cor Fund, and has gradually grown in scope over the years.
This year’s popular challenges included Spring Romers versus Fall Romers and class versus class. The Spring Romers triumphed, with 233 donors versus 207 for the fall. Spring 2021 Romers will receive a special celebration in honor of Spring Romers past.
The top classes were 2019 with 68 donors and 34% participation (all donors from this class — notably the most recent graduating class! — will receive seal caps); a tie between 1990 — 31 donors and 18% participation (also the top reunion year class, which means they’ll receive a champagne toast from President Thomas S. Hibbs, Ph.D., BA ’82 MA ’83, at their reunion and a prime reunion location) — and 1999 — 40 donors and also 18% participation; 2010, with 34 donors and 13% participation; and 2015, with 35 donors and 11% participation.
These top-performing classes all had active volunteers and challenges. A special thanks goes to these volunteers:
"I am blown away by the generosity of our alumni and their dedication to our students and faculty,” said Associate Director of Annual Giving Mike Pitstick, BA ’15. “I am especially grateful for our outstanding alumni volunteers who went above and beyond to expand the scope of this year's Cor Challenge."
Top states represented were Texas with 389 donors, Virginia with 35 donors, Illinois with 22 donors, California with 21 donors, and a tie between Maryland and Colorado with 18 donors.
“From alumni to students, from parents and friends to employees, our community demonstrated how big the heart of UD is,” said Director of Alumni Relations, Annual Giving and Donor Stewardship Julie Abell, MBA ’91. “I’m thankful for each gift and what it means to our students and faculty. Together we can dream big!”
With the donations from the Cor Challenge, the Cor Fund has accrued $900,000 so far this fiscal year (which ends on May 31); the goal is $1.2 million — in cash, not pledges. Other opportunities for contributing to the Cor Fund include the 20th annual Galecke Open in April and the new Buy-a-Brick program, in which alumni will be able to purchase engravable bricks/pavers to support the Cor Fund; these bricks will be placed on the path leading from Lynch Circle to Haggar University Center/Visitor Center. Please stay tuned for more information. You can also go to udallas.edu/give to make a gift at any time, or contact Mike Pitstick at mapitstick@udallas.edu or (972) 265-5849.
