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A giving day for Denison
More than 1,640 donors came together on April 22, 2026, for Denison’s annual Day of Giving, contributing more than $617,000 to support students and strengthen the experiences, opportunities, and relationships that exemplify a Denison education.
This year’s Day of Giving carried special significance as the first held during What We Can Be. Gifts of every size supported the campaign’s priorities while also benefiting the Annual Fund, which provides flexible resources that touch every corner of campus.
“Day of Giving is about what we can accomplish together,” said Billie Handa, associate vice president for institutional advancement and campaign director. “Every gift — of every size — helps strengthen Denison today and for the future.”
From scholarships and career preparation to athletics, the arts, research opportunities, and student programming, donor support helps create the experiences that shape students’ lives. The Annual Fund plays a particularly important role by allowing the university to respond to emerging opportunities and areas of greatest need.
“I donate because Denison gave me lifelong friendships, knowledge, and skills that have allowed me to make a difference in the world where I can and find fulfillment personally and professionally,” said Elizabeth Yassenoff ʼ08, a member of Denison’s alumni advisory board. “I want that for current and future students.”
The day also highlighted the power of collective participation. Alums, families, faculty, staff, fans, and friends rallied around the causes they care about most, while leadership gifts, challenges, and matches helped inspire additional generosity across the Denison community.
“Anytime I get to be on The Hill and interact with alums and especially current students, I find my hope in the future is restored in such an amazing way,” said Yassenoff. “As the years go by, our alma mater stays true to its roots as a place that builds relationships, understanding, knowledge, emotional intelligence, passion, and resilience. This is why I give.”
By day’s end, the results reflected more than fundraising success. They demonstrated the enduring commitment of Denisonians to invest in current and future students. Together, thousands of gifts and acts of participation created an impact far greater than any one contribution.
Elizabeth Yassenoff ʼ08
The next generation steps up
It’s never too early to be a Denison donor
Denison’s most recent graduates are already demonstrating what it means to stay connected and give back. This year, alums from the Classes of 2016–2025 made gifts totaling more than $237,000, investing in the opportunities and experiences that shaped their time, not so long ago, on The Hill.
Their support centered on the Annual Fund, athletics, and financial aid and scholarships, reflecting a shared commitment to access, experiential learning, and the programs that help students thrive. Together, these gifts helped fund faculty-guided research, internship stipends that make career-building experiences more accessible, and high-impact opportunities for involvement across campus.
The spirit of participation was especially strong among the Class of 2026. A record 414 graduating seniors made a gift to their class gift, the highest number of senior donors in Denison history. Their support demonstrates both enthusiasm and a growing understanding of philanthropy’s role in sustaining and bolstering the Denison experience.
Whether making a first gift as a graduating senior or continuing a tradition of support as a recent graduate, young Denisonians are helping ensure that future students will have the same life-shaping and career-launching experiences that defined their own Denison journeys.