Students learn about the impact of private gifts during TAG Day

TAG Day winner Ivan Thirion Romo takes a selfie with one of the TAGs posted on campus.
TAG Day winner Ivan Thirion Romo takes a selfie with one of the TAGs that were posted around campus.

The second annual TAG (Teaching Annual Giving) Day on Nov. 13, a student-focused initiative that educates students on the difference private funds make on their academic careers, was a grand success.

Informational tags about how donated funds benefit the University, its programs and the student experience were strategically posted in various locations across campus. Students took “selfies” with the tags and uploaded them to their social media account. The students who participated were entered into a raffle to “win” lunch with President Brian O. Hemphill or sit in the Dedmon Center’s “Best Seat in the House” during a home basketball game. Thanks to the Radford University Foundation, the winner could designate a “prize” of $1,000 to a Radford University Foundation account of the university club, organization, program or college of their choice.

“This is the second year that we combined the thrill of competition and the opportunity for students to support their program of choice -- while learning more about philanthropy,” said Crystal Hubbard, Assistant Director of Annual Giving.

The number of scavenger hunt participants increased from 8 in 2016 to 20 in 2017. Selfie posts increased from 65 in 2016 to 170 in 2017. Ivan Thirion Romo, a political science major from Reston, Va., won the TAG Day scavenger hunt and lunch with President Hemphill. Romo designated the $1,000 to the Model United Nations Club at Radford University.

 “I’m so proud of Ivan and Model UN for really working hard at this event to do such a great thing for the club. This really helps us for our funding next semester,” said Paige Tan, Model United Nations Club faculty advisor. Contributions to the club help cover the costs of participating students’ regional conference registrations, transportation and hotel expenses. 

“We hope this initiative will raise awareness among students about the difference they can make by being an alumni donor post-graduation,” said Hubbard.

Dec 8, 2017
Ann Brown
540-831-6715
abrown238@radford.edu