“Onward Campaign” to be unveiled Friday
During Dakota Days festivities, students, faculty and university supporters will fill the Muenster University Center with red and black attire for the unveiling and celebration of the $250 million Onward Campaign.
USD will hold a Red Tie Launch event Friday to reveal the university’s newest fundraising campaign.
Steve Brown, president and CEO of the University of South Dakota Foundation, described the event as a celebration geared toward the university as a whole.
“The Red Tie Event is the public launch of USD’s Onward Campaign, which is a $250 million comprehensive campaign to benefit the university,” Brown said. “The theme of the night really in a lot of ways is ‘it’s our university, it’s our time to help give back and support all the great things that are going on at USD.’”
Brown said the decision to have the event during Dakota Days was made because so many people will already be in the Vermillion area celebrating the 100th homecoming anniversary.
“While a crowd (is) already here, why not encourage others to come and participate and make a big weekend of it?” Brown said.
To convert the MUC into the space needed to host the event, the Marketplace will be closed beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday, according to an email sent to students and faculty by the Student Services. On Friday, Chick-fil-A, Einstein’s Bagels Bros., UBrew and Qdoba will be closed beginning at 2 p.m.
Notable South Dakotans will be present at the celebration.
“That evening we will have remarks from the governor, remarks from President Abbott, remarks from our campaign chairs Tom and Nancy Gallagher as well as Cody Strand, a fine arts graduate of 2012,” Brown said.
The USD foundation chose Strand, who starred in the Broadway play “Book of Mormon,” because he is a fresh graduate of the university.
“We all know some of our more famous alumni, whether it’s Tom Brokaw or the late Al Neuharth or many others who have gone on to great careers,” Brown said. “We wanted to highlight somebody who was a recent USD grad.”
The Red Tie Launch is open to the public. Those interested in attending may RSVP and pay the $50 registration charge online at the campaign’s website.
The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour and musical performances by students. Speakers are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.
“It’s not limited to alumni — it’s not limited to any group. Anyone who wants to come and be part of the evening can come and celebrate,” Brown said.
Senior Taylor Vavra, a marketing major, is planning on attending. She said she is looking forward to the connections students and alumni will be able to make.
“I am most excited to be able to talk to alum and hear their stories. It is so cool to hear about USD from an alum’s perspective,” Vavra said. “I love hearing what was different about our school then, and I love even more hearing about experiences they had that are so similar to mine.”
Michelle Green, USD Foundation’s director of marketing and strategic communications, encourages students to attend and mingle with some of the university’s biggest contributors.
“This is the student’s opportunity to say thanks to all of the people who have provided such great opportunities here,” Green said.
