Give Green Day 2025: Spartan generosity transforms students’ lives
The 24-hour fundraising effort showcases the uncommon will of Spartans.
Give Green Day 2025: Spartan generosity transforms students’ lives
The 24-hour fundraising effort showcases the uncommon will of Spartans.
February 12, 2025At Michigan State University, students aren’t just dreaming of a brighter future. They’re creating it.
Every day, they’re crafting their own journeys, fueled by a community that believes in them. Thanks to the unwavering generosity of fellow Spartans, these students are participating in campus organizations, seizing opportunities and gaining hands-on experiences that will shape their lives and the world around them. With each step, they’re creating a better world every day.
On March 11, 2025, Spartans around the globe will unite for Give Green Day, a 24-hour celebration of generosity dedicated to supporting students, programs and initiatives that reach every corner of MSU and extend far beyond the East Lansing campus.
Advancing student experiences through Spartan support
For MSU students, philanthropy makes all the difference in what they can accomplish.
Joshua Buggs, a soon-to-graduate electrical engineering student, is grateful for scholarship support which helped him balance his course load with applied learning experiences beside leading companies in mobility and electrification through the Michigander EV Scholar program. Donor support changes your mindset according to Joshua.
“It gives you an adrenaline rush to keep going, to keep pursuing your career goals,” he said.
Fellow electrical engineering student Parker Strach, wants donors to know that support for scholarships, internships and other learning opportunities, helped ensure he is ready for his future – one he hopes will contribute to green energy solutions.
Spartan women’s golfer and finance major Katie Lu will never forget the way Spartan generosity helped her feel welcomed from her first time on campus to every golf tournament since, especially the 2023 NCAA Palm Beach Regional where the team captured their first NCAA Regional win in program history.
As a member of another one of MSU’s championship teams, MSU Debate, Joanna Gusis also dedicates countless hours to practice, preparation and national competitions. Thanks to scholarships and team support, she’s able to stay actively involved as well as on track in preparing for a career in data privacy law.
“Knowing there is someone there supporting us means so much,” she said. “It’s the reason we’re able to pursue the careers we’re interested in and participate in the activities we adore. It’s an integral part of the community we’re able to build at MSU.”
Anjali Konkipudi agrees, saying MSU was the perfect place to explore her interests in law and justice. Now, as a leader in seven student organizations which have nurtured her growth and strengthened her network, she’s grateful for the generosity of fellow Spartans who help make these opportunities possible.
MJ Monteiro turned a love for art history into a hands-on learning experience at MSU’s Broad Art Museum. Through Spartan support, they’ve worked multiple student jobs at the museum, gaining invaluable career experience along the way. They also see the positive impact of Spartan generosity firsthand.
“Our museum is completely free because of philanthropy and the generosity of MSU alumni and supporters,” MJ said.
A day of giving with a big impact
Give Green Day kicks off at midnight ET on March 11, with eager donors vying to make the first gift of the day.
Matching funds, shared on social media and totaling $200,000 – thanks to a $100,000 commitment from MSU Federal Credit Union and another $100,000 from the Office of the MSU President – will amplify the impact of gifts.
“Give Green Day is an extraordinary opportunity for Spartans to come together with a shared purpose: to elevate the experiences and successes of our students, both now and in the future,” said Kim Tobin, vice president for University Advancement. “We are incredibly grateful for our donors, whose generosity and uncommon will advance impact for the common good, forging a far better world for us all.”
At MSU, every donor has the power to make a lasting impact, supporting the areas that matter most to them, from all the colleges, to Athletics, the Wharton Center, campus museums, and the MSU Libraries, WKAR and more. And the generosity doesn’t stop there. With 62 alumni clubs rallying together, donations are being used to fund scholarships that open doors for students from all regions to experience the transformative education MSU offers.
With dozens of online fundraising projects that support student clubs to initiatives that foster a welcoming campus community, each contribution – no matter the size – carries profound significance. Every gift helps weave a stronger, more vibrant future for Spartans, and the ripple effects of each donation are felt for generations to come.
Join Spartans in making an impact
To learn more and explore all the ways you can support students on Give Green Day, visit givingday.msu.edu
Author: Lois Furry, '89
