The University of Delaware is taking its annual I Heart UD Day well beyond campus and encouraging UD love around the world. All Blue Hens—no matter where they are—will be called on to show their blue and gold pride and support, collectively making a difference for the University for generations to come.

In line with a common tradition at other colleges, UD will hold its first-ever giving day on Wednesday, May 9. I Heart UD Giving Day is a concerted digital effort to encourage Blue Hens everywhere to show their love of UD with a gift of any size. The goal is to inspire 1,743 donors in 1,743 minutes—paying homage to our founding year—to give to a UD cause close to their hearts. The count will begin on Tuesday, May 8 at 6 p.m. and finish on Wednesday, May 9 at 11 p.m.

“The University’s future is shaped gift by gift, no matter the amount,” said Jim Dicker, vice president of development & alumni relations. “This year, on I Heart UD Giving Day, individual gifts of any size will be amplified as they are added to thousands of others to make a collective, lasting impact on the University. The day will demonstrate the difference we can make when we come together to advance the University’s people, passions and programs.”

The I Heart UD Giving Day site lists 42 projects for supporters to choose from when making a gift. The projects include a variety of UD programs, causes and initiatives collected from student groups, colleges, faculty, alumni and other University partners.

Throughout the day, there will be both hourly and daily challenges that encourage donors to make a gift to a featured project on the site, providing opportunities to boost the funds raised for it.

In addition to the digital efforts on I Heart UD Giving Day, 17 events will be held around the country, bringing Blue Hens together to celebrate and show their blue and gold pride. For a full list of events, click here.

I Heart UD on campus

As in years past, students, faculty and staff are invited to The Green to show their UD love during the I Heart UD Day campus event. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, the UD community can enjoy food, games, activities and prizes.

The event will include corn hole, caricature artists, student performers, UDairy Creamery ice cream, Class Cab trivia with Blue Hen celebrities and more.

“In addition to the fun on The Green, students will also have an opportunity to write thank you notes to donors, showing their gratitude for the difference support makes for students like them. In exchange, they will get an ‘I Heart UD’ tank top,” said Courtney Frink, associate director of student engagement. “The on-campus event is a way for our students to have fun while learning more about UD traditions and how philanthropy impacts them every day.”

For more information, visit www.udel.edu/iheartUD.