BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana University is celebrating its fourth annual IU Day on Wednesday, April 10.
This worldwide, 24-hour, social-sharing, IU-wearing, gift-giving day of engagement will kick off at midnight, as students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the university come together in celebration of all things IU. Activities include live events across the university’s seven campuses, entertaining virtual programming, online social and giving challenges, and alumni gatherings around the globe.
“IU Day offers our students, alumni, staff and friends a time to reflect on how Indiana University has touched their lives and celebrate the extraordinary work being done across our campuses,” said Dan Smith, president of the IU Foundation. “It is a chance to connect with the university and each other around all that makes IU the special place it is.”
In addition to the events taking place across Indiana, individual alumni and official IU Alumni Association chapters will be hosting IU Day celebrations around the world. This year, about 40 domestic and international chapters are coordinating local IU Day events. Find nearby events and activities by visiting the IU Day website’s events page.
“IU Day is here again,” said J T. Forbes, CEO of the IU Alumni Association. “Alumni deserve our praise for their engagement and giving. On this wonderful day, they will celebrate and share what makes IU special to them, and IU pride and support will deepen because of their good work.”
All who love IU are encouraged to show off their university pride by wearing the colors that represent their campus community and posting to social media using the hashtag #IUday. Challenges throughout the day will include social-sharing contests and fun photo competitions, such as “Back in My (IU) Day,” which encourages sharing of retro IU photos, and “Biggest IU Fan,” which highlights the most intense and spirited IU fandom.
Last year, #IUday trended nationally with more than 9,000 mentions originating from 84 countries. In total, more than 10 million people shared in the 2018 IU Day experience.
In addition to engaging programming and celebrations, IU Day will feature a giving component, emphasizing the message that every gift matters. Students, alumni and friends of the university can choose how they want to support IU by giving to a specific campus or unit fund or exploring unique crowdfunding opportunities at iuday.iu.edu/give. Gifts of any size may be boosted by various IU Day giving and social media challenges that engage students, alumni, staff, faculty, friends and fans around common goals.
IU Day inspired more than 4,000 gifts in 2018, which funded an array of projects and initiatives, student-led programs and scholarships in various areas of study. And online engagement unlocked more than $14,000 in digital challenge funds to support student scholarships.
Students on the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses can also support one another by contributing to Counseling and Psychological Services’ crowdfunding campaign or by donating food items to Crimson Cupboard at IU Bloomington or Paw’s Pantry at IUPUI. Receptacles for nonperishable food items will be stationed at the Campus Center at IUPUI and at the Indiana Memorial Union, academic buildings and dining halls at IU Bloomington.
“The generous support we receive each IU Day enables a truly transformational impact across this great university,” Smith said. “We could not be more grateful. And as we look ahead to a third century of changing lives through higher education, we can be certain that, together, we will continue to take on the challenges facing our state, nation and world.”
Gifts received on IU Day count toward the $3 billion For All: The Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign, stewarded by the IU Foundation.
About IU Day
IU Day is a 24-hour, binge-watching, social-sharing, IU-wearing, online celebration of Indiana University and the people who make IU possible (that’s you!). Maybe you’re a student getting your start. Maybe you’re an alumnus well on your way. Maybe you’re a parent, friend or fan with a special place in your heart for “old IU.” In any case, these IU connections are cause for celebration.
