Students hold up thank you cards

HWS News

7 October 2026 HWS Day of Donors 2026

In just 24 hours, the HWS community came together in support of the Annual Fund to make a lasting difference for students.

During HWS Day of Donors, 513 alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends made gifts totaling more than $285,106 to the Annual Fund, helping provide the opportunities and experiences that make an HWS education possible.

Gifts made during HWS Day of Donors supported six priority areas of the Annual Fund: scholarships, global education, internships, research, student life and greatest need. Together, these areas touch every part of the HWS experience, providing students with the support and resources to make the most of their four years and prepare for what comes next.

Students participate in the HWS Day of Donors Thank-a-Thon in Scandling Campus Center.

During the 24-hour giving event, students reflected on the ways donor support has shaped their HWS experience and shared their gratitude by writing cards to donors throughout the day.

The celebration continued with HWS Day of Donors taxi rides. Students who participated in HWS trivia had the chance to win golf cart rides to class from a few familiar faces on campus: Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chevanne DeVaney '95, P'21, P'23, Senior Philanthropic Advisor Bob O’Connor P'22, P'23 and Associate Vice President of Outcomes and the Melly Institute Brandi Ferrara. 

The generosity of the HWS community unlocked $25,000 in challenge funds, thanks to Trustee Linda Arrington ’88 and Board Chair Joseph C. Stein III ’86 and Nancy Hedges Stein ’86. Reaching 250 donors unlocked Arrington’s $10,000 gift, while hitting the donor participation goal for the day of 500 donors unlocked an additional $15,000 from the Steins.

Students join Vice President Chevanne DeVaney '95, P'21, P'23 for a golf cart ride. 

Reaching a goal of 100 parent donors also unlocked the Finals’ Fuel Parent Challenge, a special experience sponsored by the Parents Executive Committee. On Dec. 14, students will be able to take a break from studying with hot chocolate and refreshments during reading days, thanks to the generosity of HWS parents who helped make the challenge possible.

HWS is grateful to Arrington, the Steins and our PEC for their generosity and for helping inspire the community to reach these milestones in support of students.

For Executive Director of Annual and Athletic Giving Dulcie Meyer P’20, HWS Day of Donors is about more than reaching a fundraising goal.

“HWS Day of Donors is a powerful reminder of what can happen when our community comes together to support our students,” Meyer says. “The Annual Fund is truly at the heart of the HWS student experience. It helps make an HWS education possible for students who might not otherwise be able to be here and gives them the chance to say yes to so many of the experiences that make their time here so meaningful. We are truly grateful for every donor who came together for our students the past 24 hours.”

To learn more about the Annual Fund and how your support makes an HWS education possible, visit https://www.hws.edu/alum/annual-fund.aspx.