Honors College Donors Set New Record with 162 Gifts on Dam Proud Day 2024

By Fiona Dunlop on May 1, 2024

Dam Proud Day 2024 marked a milestone for the Honors College as our community set a record for the number of gifts given to the HC on the university’s annual day of giving. Including challenges, one hundred sixty-two donors contributed to support HC student scholarships, an eighteen percent increase over last year. Overall, donors contributed $52,405, ranking the Honors College 19th highest among the 50 participating units at the university. 

“Once again, our community has come together to surpass our expectations and achieve something truly remarkable,” says Honors College Dean Toni Doolen. “This collective effort not only demonstrates our commitment to inclusive excellence, but also showcases our power in rallying behind our shared goals.” 

Dean Doolen sits on a couch in their office with an OSU logo

All donations supported Honors College differential tuition and experiential learning scholarships. Differential tuition funds the unique Honors College classes and programming. Over 35% of Honors College students have financial need. 

By surpassing this year’s goal of 100 donors for the day, the Honors College unlocked over $38,000 in challenge gifts from a range of honors community members: 

  • Victoria Price, ’15, and Tari Tan, ’08, and Ian McLachlan created the Honors College Alumni Challenge. 
  • Joe Hendricks and Hazel Reeves; Dan and Wanda Arp; Kerry Ahearn; Toni, Ph.D. ’01, and Erick Doolen; Kevin Ahern, Ph.D. ’86, and Indira Rajagopal; and Jim and Bonnie Krueger established the Honors College Faculty Challenge. 
  • Karen Bolin, ’82; Duane, ’77, and Rebecca Coen; Bennet Yee, ’86; Ron Masters, ’83 and Mary Yates, ’68 created the Honors Program and OSU Alumni Challenge. 
  • And Susan Lair and Douglas Trobough; Dan, ’81, and Margaret Porth; Jill and Randy Thomas; Rahul and Samantha Shah; Meena and Kevin Baker; Amy and Stefan Groetsch; and Dana, ’90, and Keith, ’94, Hammer established the Honors College Parent Challenge. 

“I am so proud of how honors alumni, faculty, staff, families and students came together to make this Dam Proud Day such a success for the Honors College,” says Doolen. “By supporting student scholarships, we send a powerful message to our HC students that we are wholeheartedly rallying behind them, ensuring their success and empowering their academic journey. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together next year.”