IRVING, TX (04/26/22) – The 2022 Cor Challenge, which ran March 28 - April 2, not only broke records for the third year in a row in both number of donors and dollars received, but fully eclipsed all past records, easily taking the title from 2021 as the most successful Cor Challenge ever. The full participation counts now have been tallied and the matching prizes received and recorded, bringing this year's Cor Challenge to its complete end. More than 1,360 donors (a 42% increase over 2021) representing 46 states participated this year, raising a total of $698,630 (a 144% increase over 2021), including nearly $500,000 in challenge and matching donations.

“We cannot thank the community enough for your outpouring of generosity,” said Vice President for Advancement Kris Muñoz Vetter. “It was a historic achievement – far exceeding our expectations for both alumni participation and funds raised. But I am not surprised. For this is what happens when we make the choice to step out with confidence – together and in community – to joyfully support our students and the university’s mission.”

The National Alumni Board (NAB) began the Cor Challenge in 2012 as the “Money Bomb,” with 564 alumni donors raising $74,369 for the Cor Fund, and the annual giving event has gradually grown in scope over the years. This year, giving focused on support for student scholarships.

This year’s popular challenges included Spring Romers versus Fall Romers and Team Crusader versus Team Groundhog, which came down to the wire and was incredibly close. This year the Fall Romers gave more in dollars, raising $70,744 versus the $67,629 given by Spring Romers, but Spring Romers had more donors overall, with 368 donors versus 365 for the fall. Meanwhile, eight Summer Romers raised $790. Team Groundhog triumphed with 481 (68% of total respondents) votes versus 223 (32%) for Team Crusader.

For participation, the top classes were the Class of 1985 with 36% of the class participating, the Class of 2012 with 28.9% of the class participating, and the Class of 2016 with 28.7% of the class participating. For dollars raised, 1985 once again took the lead, bringing in $431,238. While the Class of 1985 also won the most-improved awards with a 25% participation increase from last year and a 3,520% increase in funds raised, they made the generous decision to pass these awards to the runner-up classes in the enthusiastic spirit of congratulating the larger UD alumni family for coming together in this immensely successful Cor Challenge. Therefore, the Class of 1988 took the honor for most improved in funds raised, with $58,675, which was 458% more than this class gave last year. Meanwhile, the Class of 2016 claimed the prize for most improved participation, with 24% improvement compared to last year’s Cor Challenge. 

These top-performing classes all had active volunteers and challenges. You can sign up to represent your class as a class agent or regional representative to help out with future Cor Challenges and other events.

“The results of this year’s Cor Challenge speak volumes about the love our alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends have for UD and how dedicated this wonderful community is to supporting our students,” said Assistant Vice President for Development Austin Westervelt-Lutz. “Credit belongs to our class volunteers and National Alumni Board members who led the way and partnered with their classmates on behalf of UD. What I am most struck by is how the entire UD community came together, regardless of their affiliation with the university, toward our shared purpose.” 

To participate and be counted during UD’s current academic year and fiscal year ending May 31, you can go to udallas.edu/give to make a gift at any time, or contact Assistant Director of Annual Giving Justin Blan, BA ’14, at jmblan@udallas.edu or 972-265-5849.