A stuffed squirrel waits to be found somewhere on the University of Mississippi campus. Nearby, a student signs the Ventress Hall turret, another makes a quick gift between classes and alumni and friends contribute from across the country.
At Ole Miss, generosity is part of our DNA. On Giving Day, students, alumni and friends come together to shape the future of the university.
Giving Day begins April 14 at 9 a.m. and lasts for 1 day, 8 hours and 48 minutes, to honor the 1848 founding of the university. It offers supporters a chance to make an impact across campus, from scholarships and academic programs to hands-on student experiences.
“We’re excited about Giving Day,” Charlotte Parks, UM vice chancellor for development, said. “It’s a fun time for Ole Miss alumni and friends to see what’s happening here and support the areas they feel most passionate about.”
At the heart of the event is the Ole Miss Fund, which supports students, programs and priorities across the university. Last year, the fund reached more than 24 schools, colleges and units, allowing Ole Miss to respond to immediate needs on campus.
“Every gift makes a difference,” said Wendell Weakley, CEO of the UM Foundation. “Giving Day allows donors to amplify their impact through matching opportunities and creates an easy entry point for new donors who want to support students and programs they care about.”
Ole Miss READY, a program expanding access to higher education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is a new focus this year. READY provides academic, social and life-skills support that opens doors many families once thought closed.
Additionally, the Let’s Book It Fund, launched during the 2025 Giving Day to support Ole Miss Opportunity students, helped make course materials more accessible. With donor support, every Ole Miss Opportunity student received $500 this fall for textbooks and supplies. This year’s
Giving Day aims to keep the program fully funded.
“Ole Miss has always been a place where people take care of each other,” said Senior Director of Annual Giving Maura Langhart, who coordinates the event. “Giving Day is a powerful reminder that when we come together, we can create access, remove barriers and make this university stronger for everyone.”
A favorite tradition returns this year: the Squirrel Scavenger Hunt. Students who follow clues on social media and find a stuffed squirrel hidden on campus can direct a $250 gift to the Ole Miss initiative of their choice.
Students can also participate in smaller moments that add up. On the afternoon of April 14, a $26 gift to the Ole Miss Fund earns donors the opportunity to name a squirrel and receive a certificate bearing its name. Donors may also give in honor or memory of someone who shaped their Ole Miss experience, with the option to notify honorees through the Giving Day platform.
For College of Liberal Arts students, Giving Day offers another opportunity to “sign the turret,” a long-standing tradition that allows students to leave their mark in Ventress Hall while supporting academics.
Creativity and storytelling also take center stage through the Student Media Center and Mississippi Media Lab, where students gain hands-on experience in journalism, digital media and visual storytelling.
Throughout Giving Day, the Ole Miss community can tune in to a live stream featuring voices from across campus, including the chancellor and provost, along with academic demonstrations, creative segments and student stories. The stream will be available on the Giving Day platform, as well as Facebook, LinkedIn, Vimeo and YouTube.
“Giving Day is where passion meets purpose,” Langhart said. “It connects what people care about with real needs across campus.”
For more information, contact Maura Langhart, senior director of annual giving, at mmwakefi@olemiss.edu or 662-915-2760.
By Michael Newsom / UM Development