Tuesday, May 25, 2021
The giving challenge raises funds across the University, including critical support for students
by Diane Cornell
Rider University’s annual employee giving challenge has a twist this year. University Trustee James P. Bush '80 has committed $100,000 as a matching, dollar-for-dollar challenge to faculty and staff at Rider.
Bush, a retired American Express executive, will effectively double all employee donations up to the amount of his matching gift, ultimately providing even more resources for students at the University. Monies raised during the employee giving challenge help to provide financial support and emergency assistance to students, and raises funds for University priorities.
Employees who make a gift will have it matched to an area of their choice at the University.
“We are so grateful to receive this challenge gift,” said Karin Klim, vice president of University Advancement. “It demonstrates the commitment of everyone at Rider to work together in order to benefit our students.”
Last year, Rider’s Faculty and Staff Giving Challenge was cut short by the onset of the pandemic but still raised $70,000 for various funds on campus, generating 522 gifts from 166 donors. This year, Rider hopes to exceed that total.
“Since the pandemic began, Rider faculty and staff have witnessed the resiliency of our students, and it has been inspiring to see how determined they are in their quest for an education,” says Dr. Maria Villalobos-Buehner, a professor of Spanish, ESL, World Language and Bilingual Education and chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
“As we anticipate a return to campus in the fall, we know that some students will still face unforeseen challenges and they will continue to need our support,” she says. “Our generosity is critical to helping those students who cannot continue their education without such support.”
The giving challenge raises funds across the University, including the Rider Scholarship Fund, the Student Support Emergency Fund, the Student Resource Pantry, the EOP Book Award Fund, the Rider Veterans Fund and the Rider Arena Project, a campaign to elevate Alumni Gym, the first building to be built on campus, into a modern NCAA Division I arena.
Gifts in support of Rider University students can be made by calling 609-896-5392 or online at rider.edu/give.