McPherson College’s Power Day 2025 exceeded all the financial goals for the annual online giving day, raising $430,441 for scholarships and programs. In its 11th year, more than 350 alumni and friends of the college made gifts that helped unlock seven matching challenges that totaled over $155,000.
Each of the matching challenges was also exceeded. This year’s matching challenges included:
- $50,000 from the Paul Family for the MC Fund and academics, with over $162,000 from gifts
- $35,000 from Harvey Geiger for Automotive Restoration, with over $51,000 from gifts
- $25,000 from Midway Motors for Athletics, with over $29,000 from gifts
- $20,000 for the Student Debt Project, with over $25,000 from gifts
- $12,500 from Young Alumni, with over $35,000 from gifts
- $10,000 from the Board of Trustees, with over $24,000 from gifts
- $5,000 for Ecological Scholarships, with over $7,000 from gifts
“Our theme for this year was ‘Give, Connect, Inspire’ because Power Day is more than a day of giving; it’s a time for the McPherson College community to celebrate and remember what McPherson College means to us,” said Dave Barrett, director of Power Day. “This is the place where many of us were allowed to grow, learn life lessons both in and out of the classroom, and meet forever friends. Power Day is an opportunity for our alumni and friends to make an investment in the next generation of MC students, allow them to have their own unique MC experience, and recognize what makes this place so special.”
Power Day demonstrates the generosity of McPherson College alumni, friends, and employees, making an immediate impact on current students. The one-day giving blitz featured live and pre-recorded video messages on the college’s social media channels and website. Leading up to Power Day, alumni were encouraged to share stories about the community they built at McPherson College that continues today.
“Power Day is a great day to give to provide future Bulldogs with the exceptional faculty, supportive staff, and lifelong friendships that I valued as a student and value even more today,” said Lesli Earlston, a 1996 graduate.
Although the focus of Power Day is online giving, Barrett said it is also a day to reconnect with friends and communicate why it is important to support the next generation of students through scholarships.
“As we look to continue our tradition of successful fundraising, it will take all levels of donor support,” President Michael Schneider said. “Power Day is one demonstration of our alumni and friends stepping up to make an immediate impact on our students through robust scholarships and innovative programs like the Student Debt Project.”
More information about Power Day, including all the day’s videos, can be found at www.mcpherson.edu/power.