From the President, re: A Record-Breaking Day of Caring

April 4, 2024

Dear Southern Community,

Greetings! What a celebration we have woken up to today. Our 9th annual Day of Caring has broken records on almost every count, and I am energized, inspired, and full of gratitude! 

More information will be released by early afternoon as final gifts are processed, but allow me to share a quick preview of the work we have accomplished together…

$911,037 raised… A new record.

1,899 donors… A new record.

247 scholar donors… A new record.

$8,925 raised by scholars… A new record.

When we say “Everything is Possible,” are you starting to believe it? Thank you to all of our scholars who stepped up to meet my $5,000 match. I am so moved by this dramatic response – more than 5x the amount donated last year, and by more than twice as many scholar donors – that I will be matching all $8,925 donated!

Thank you also to the faculty and staff who created challenges and gave openhandedly, to our incredible alumni who answered the call yet again, to our new and veteran community partners who are the backbone of this effort – and to our Division of Institutional Advancement for coordinating this tremendous lift on behalf of our student scholars. If you see me today, it will be with a big smile on my face. Let us celebrate: “Ain’t no stoppin’ us now!” 🎶

Congratulations to all!

Dr. Dwayne Smith
Interim President