HAMBURG — Hilbert College's first-ever Giving Day, a 24-hour online and telephone giving campaign, amassed 316 donors and more than $52,000 toward student scholarships on March 1. Since Hilbert is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and March 1 was the 60th day of 2017, it was a perfect time for the inaugural event. The goal of 301 donors, derived from the date of 3/01, was reached in the early evening, and milestone incentive gifts were unlocked throughout the day.

"I am so grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support for our inaugural giving day," Hilbert President Cynthia Zane said.  "I am thankful not only for all of those members of the Hilbert family that supported giving day, but also those who funded the incredibly successful milestone incentives."

"The Hilbert community was truly inspired and came together," said Kelly Smith, the college's vice president for institutional advancement. "This collaborative and inclusive event put a spotlight on giving at Hilbert and created a new sense of excitement around philanthropy.  Together we all helped make the Hilbert experience possible for more students."

Incentive milestones Hilbert reached throughout the day included a $1,000 gift from Laurie Boreanaz-Carra '81, when the college reached 25 percent of its donor goal; a $1,957 gift funded by the Alumni Board of Directors when it reached 50 percent of the goal; a $5,000 gift from Chris O'Brien when it reached 75 percent; and a $5,000 faculty and staff incentive grant from Mary Ann Hobar, Joan Crouse, Ed Qualey and Pat Heraty when the campaign reached a certain level of faculty and staff giving.

The final milestone included a $10,000 gift, funded by Leadership Circle donors Brad Hafner, Gretchen Wylegala, Stephen McCabe, Robert Drago, Nancy Dobson and Patrick Backman, when the college reached its donor goal of 301.