A total of 1,931 donors helped raise $2.9 million, marking another powerful demonstration of the Cardinal spirit and a fifth consecutive year of record-breaking engagement across all 50 states.

Timed to energize UofL’s Homecoming week, Raise Some L spanned 1,798 minutes, in honor of the university’s founding year, and celebrated the many ways philanthropy transforms lives across campus and beyond.

“Because of your generosity, we continue to move forward together,” said University of Louisville President Gerry Bradley. “Each gift, no matter the size, helps us create new opportunities for our students, faculty, staff, researchers, patients and the entire Cardinal community. We are deeply grateful to all who supported this effort.”

Throughout the day, supporters rallied behind their favorite programs, schools and causes, amplifying their impact through social media advocacy, challenges and matching gifts. The campaign also highlighted several major commitments and gifts that will have an immediate and lasting effect across the university, including:

• Anonymous – A transformational $500,000 commitment over the next five years to establish two Student Success Funds supporting undergraduate and medical students in financial need.
• Phoenix Controls – An in-kind gift valued at $382,258 to enhance the new Applied Engineering program with advanced technology and hands-on learning tools.
• SEW-EURODRIVE – An in-kind gift valued at $358,000 to further support the Applied Engineering program.
• Suraj and Rachel Alexander – A $100,000 gift establishing a Centennial Scholarship Fund within the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, along with a $50,000 planned gift to sustain the school’s mission.
• Autodesk – A $75,000 contribution in support of cutting-edge technologies for the Applied Engineering program.
• St. James Court Neighborhood Association – A renewed $74,375 commitment to benefit the Hite Art Institute, including a new scholarship honoring Bill Holladay, Jr.
• Lyle and Linda Graham – A $50,000 contribution to the Graham Student Philanthropy Endowed Fund and an additional $5,000 to the Graham Math Scholars Program.
• Anonymous Planned Gift – A $50,000 commitment to advance the J.B. Speed School of Engineering.
• Genentech, Inc. – A $43,421 gift to the School of Public Health & Information Sciences to support future health leaders.
• Dr. Paul Kelty – A $25,000 pledge to the Golden Alumni Scholarship at the Speed School of Engineering.
• Anonymous Gift – A $12,500 matching gift to expand resources for the UofL Writing, Editing, and Publishing Lab.

“Each year, the Cardinal community shows what’s possible when we come together with purpose,” said Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Jim Broschart. “These results reflect the power of collective generosity and the shared belief in UofL’s mission to make a difference in Louisville and around the world.”

While Raise Some L has concluded, there’s still time to make an impact. Gifts of any size continue to help strengthen programs and expand opportunities across the university. To learn more or contribute, visit .

This celebration of generosity spans 1,798 minutes, a tribute to UofL’s founding year, and invites Cardinals everywhere to come together in support of the university they love.

Timed to energize Homecoming week, Raise Some L rallies the Cardinal community around the initiatives, programs and people shaping UofL’s future.

“Your support of the UofL family ignites transformative opportunities for our students, patients and community. It empowers the next generation of Cardinals to reach their full potential,” said President Gerry Bradley. “We are building a brighter tomorrow and moving forward together.”

Recent Major Gifts and Commitments

This year’s Raise Some L celebration has already been bolstered by several significant gifts and commitments that will make an immediate and lasting impact across the University of Louisville. Highlights include:

• Anonymous –��Inspired by the legacy of two strong women who championed education and opportunity for themselves and their children, a gift of $500,000 to the University of Louisville was made by a family of first-generation immigrants who began their American journey with hope, determination, and a deep belief in the power of learning. This investment creates a safety net for students, helping cover essential needs like housing, food, and childcare, so they can focus on achieving their degrees and building brighter futures. Their story is one of perseverance, gratitude, and a shared belief that education transforms lives.

• Phoenix Controls – An in-kind gift valued at $382,258 to enhance the new program, providing state-of-the-art technology and resources for hands-on learning.

• SEW-EURODRIVE – An in-kind gift valued at $358,000 to support the program, providing state-of-the-art technology and resources for hands-on learning.
• Suraj and Rachel Alexander – A $100,000 gift establishing a new Centennial Scholarship fund within the to support student opportunity and innovation, complemented by a $50,000 planned gift to sustain and advance the Speed School’s mission for years to come.
• Autodesk – $75,000 in support of state-of-the-art technologies and resources for the J.B. Speed School’s program.
• St. James Court Neighborhood Association – A renewed commitment totaling $74,375 to benefit the , including the establishment of the St. James Court Neighborhood Association Scholarship Honoring Bill Holladay, Jr.,��to support students pursuing art and design.
• Lyle and Linda Graham – A $50,000 contribution to the Graham Student Philanthropy Endowed Fund and an additional $5,000 gift to the Graham Math Scholars Program, continuing their long-standing support for student engagement and success.
• Anonymous Planned Gift to the Speed School – A planned commitment valued at $50,000 to advance the mission and programs of the J.B. Speed School of Engineering.
• Genentech, Inc. –A gift of $43,421 to the . Genentech is a pioneering biotechnology company committed to innovation, equity, and health. This gift helps prepare the next generation of leaders to tackle the world’s most pressing health challenges.
• Dr. Paul Kelty – A $25,000 pledge to the Golden Alumni Scholarship at the J.B. Speed School of Engineering. (Securities transfer processed by Baird Financial.)
• Anonymous Gift – A $12,500 matching gift to the UofL Writing, Editing and Publishing Lab, expanding resources and opportunities for students in the program.

“Raise Some L helps keep UofL accessible and affordable, fuels breakthrough research, enhances medical care and drives our momentum as a leading metropolitan research university,” said Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Vice President Jim Broschart. “We are profoundly grateful to the alumni, faculty, staff and friends who answer the call year after year. Your generosity makes it all possible.”

To learn more, make a gift or become a Raise Some L advocate, visit .

Campus Events & Student Energy

The Student Organization for Alumni Relations (SOAR) and the Student Activities Board (SAB) will host Raise Some L block parties on the Belknap and HSC campuses on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 12-2 p.m., featuring snacks, games, music and opportunities to get involved. Don’t miss the action at the campus quads and help spread the word using #RaiseSomeL on social media.

Last Year’s Impact

In 2024, more than 2,000 donors gave an incredible $5.4 million to support UofL, UofL Health and UofL Athletics. For the fourth consecutive year, Cardinal family members from all 50 states took part, showing the nation what it means to Raise Some L.

To see what else is happening during Homecoming week, visit

More than 2,000 donors came together to raise an impressive $5.4 million for , and . And for the fourth consecutive year, UofL turned the entire U.S. map Cardinal red as donations poured in from all 50 states, demonstrating the far-reaching support of alumni, students, parents and friends.

Strategically set during Homecoming Week, this annual day of giving brings Cardinals here and beyond together for their shared goal to create a brighter future to UofL.

In addition to thousands of grassroots donations, several donors pledged significant gifts in advance of the event, elevating the overall impact. These included a $1.5 million gift from The Bufford Family Foundation to support the College of Business, a $1.1 million beneficiary designation from an anonymous alumnus for the J.B. Speed School of Engineering and a $1 million bequest for the Department of Biology. UofL Health contributed a $50,000 challenge gift for the Employee Emergency Fund and the Greater Louisville Medical Society Foundation provided $125,000 for School of Medicine scholarships.

Cardinal advocates also played a crucial role as 66 fundraisers mobilized to raise more than $24,000 from 280 donors.

“Your generous contributions during Raise Some L 2024 have empowered our future and opened new chapters of opportunity. Thank you for being a vital part of our story,” said Julie Dials, interim vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement. “Your support truly makes a difference and will have a profound impact on UofL, UofL Health and UofL Athletics.”

The contributions of the Cardinal family will make an immediate and lasting impact on hundreds of initiatives across UofL’s campuses and the Louisville community. Their united support will continue to fuel innovation, scholarships and growth for years to come.

If you missed the day of giving, learn more or make a gift at .

Beginning at 6:02 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, and continuing through midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 16, the University of Louisville’s annual day of giving – affectionately known as Raise Some L – will run for an inspiring 1,798 minutes in honor of UofL’s founding year. This unique fundraising event, strategically set during Homecoming week, unites the Cardinal community in support of initiatives that will shape a thriving future for all.

“Your support of the UofL family ignites transformative opportunities for our students, patients and community and empowers the next generation of Cardinals to reach their full potential,” said President Kim Schatzel. “Together, we are building a brighter tomorrow.”

Several major gifts have already been pledged in advance of the day, including:

• $1.5 million��gift from The Bufford Family Foundation/Susan and Randy Bufford to support the College of Business, including scholarships and personal success investments for student-athletes.
• $1.1 million��beneficiary designation from an anonymous alumnus in support of the J.B. Speed School of Engineering.
• $1 million��bequest from a loyal UofL supporter for the benefit of the Department of Biology.
• $150,000 gift from Strong Hold to support the new Speed School building.
• $125,000 from the Greater Louisville Medical Society Foundation to support scholarships for the School of Medicine
• $50,000 challenge gift from UofL Health to support the UofL Health Employee Emergency Fund.
• $25,000��memorial gift to support the Tung-ho Chen Endowed Graduate Student Scholarship from the Chen family.
• $13,000 in matching gifts from 1970’s alumni to support the Speed Golden Alumni Scholarship Endowment, the Medicine Class of 1971 Scholarship Endowment, and the 1970s Biology Graduate Student Endowment.
• $10,000 gift from the MW Fund to advance spinal cord injury research and provide patient assistance.

“Raise Some L is critical to keeping UofL accessible and affordable for students, fostering groundbreaking research and driving our growth as a leading metropolitan research university,” said Julie Dials, interim vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement. “We are deeply grateful to our dedicated alumni, faculty, staff and friends who rise to the challenge each year. Your unwavering commitment makes all the difference.”

To amp up the excitement of the day, Alumni Relations and Annual Giving will host a Raise Some L block party in front of the Red Barn on the Belknap Campus and the Student Activities Board (SAB) will host one at the HSC Quad on the Health Sciences Center Campus. Stop by for snacks, activities, prizes and more.

Last year, Raise Some L set a record with 2,093 donors contributing $1.3 million. Every dollar raised immediately supports vital areas across campus and the community. For the third consecutive year, Cardinals from all 50 states united to paint the nation red.

To learn more about UofL’s annual day of giving and how to become an advocate, visit . And be sure to spread the excitement on social media by using #RaiseSomeL.

For a full list of what’s happening during UofL Homecoming week, visit .

Beginning at 6:02 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 24, and continuing through midnight, Wednesday, Oct. 25, Raise Some L runs for 1,798 minutes in honor of UofL’s founding year. The 30-hour campaign, held during week, is a chance for the Cardinal community to support students, research and campus initiatives that help foster a better world.

“Your investment in UofL creates vibrant futures for our students and empowers the next generation of Cardinals to unleash their potential and build a brighter tomorrow,” said President Kim Schatzel.

Several sizable donations have been pledged in advance of the day including:

• $50,000 to benefit the HDR Foundation from an anonymous donor
• $50,000 to Brandeis School of Law LGBTQ Community Impact Scholarship by John Selent
• $50,000 challenge from UofL Health for the UofL Health Employee Emergency Fund
• $37,500 to create the UofL English Writing, Editing and Publishing Lab
• $25,000 to Whittenberg Construction Endowment by Whittenberg Construction
• $25,000 to create a scholarship within the School of Public Health & Information Sciences by Kim Mascaro

“UofL’s day of giving campaign helps keep the university affordable for students, provides opportunities for learning and discovery and ensures UofL’s progress as a major metropolitan research university,” said Brent Pieper, vice president for advancement. “We are grateful for the generous alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the Cardinal community who continue to rise to the occasion. Thank you for everything you do to support our mission.”

Interested donors can make a gift at . In addition to online giving, in-person donations may be made at the Raise Some L Belknap Campus and Health Sciences Center campus headquarters from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 25. To learn more about Raise Some L or become an advocate, visit .

The Student Organization for Alumni Relations will be stationed at Raise Some L headquarters at the quads of both campuses with snacks, activities and additional information. Share the word about Raise Some L by using #RaiseSomeL.

For information on other UofL Homecoming week events, visit .

The gift, from former Speed School alumni fellow Scott McReynolds ’86 and his wife Jennifer ’84, also represents the kickoff to Raise Some L, UofL’s annual day of giving.

Beginning at 6:02 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 18, and continuing through midnight, Wednesday, Oct. 19, Raise Some L runs for 1,798 minutes in honor of UofL’s founding year. The 30-hour drive, traditionally held during Homecoming Week, is a chance for the Cardinal Community to support students, research and campus initiatives that help build a better world.

The opportunities created by the gift will help underprivileged youth gain critical skills to tackle the world’s problems. The $450,000 donation will provide last dollar scholarships, tutoring and bridge programming, Robotics Research Fellowships within the Louisville Automation and Robotics Research Institute (LARRI), summer research experiences for Central High School students at LARRI and an immersive learning experience trip to Boston, Massachusetts, the hub of robotics research and innovation.

“Gifts like these are inspiring and life-changing,” Interim President Lori Stewart Gonzalez said. “This generous support and other funds raised during our annual day of giving will help fuel the success of our students, advance our research and innovation initiatives and improve our community.”

There have also been several sizable donations that have already been pledged in advance of the day including: ��

• Three gifts to the School of Medicine designated for research in the amounts of $1 million, $400,000 and $100,000 from anonymous donors
• $50,000 gift to the Community Band in the School of Music from an anonymous donor
• $33,675 gift to the Breonna Taylor Memorial Scholarship Endowment by Jill Whitten in memory of her parents Ann W. and Donald J. Roth
• $25,000 gift to establish the Karlynn BrintzenhofeSzoc “Scholars in Healthcare Social Work” Scholarship, funded by Ronald Z. Szoc and Karlynn BrintzenhofeSzoc
• $15,000 challenge match that will support various areas across the university by Hank and Rebecca Conn
• $10,000 gift to the UofL Health Brown Cancer Center by Jason Chesney
• $10,000 match gift for the LGBTQ Center by Steve Bass

“UofL’s Day of Giving Campaign is a great way to support the continued success of the Cardinal community by making a gift to an area that inspires you,” Interim Vice President for Advancement Julie Dials said. “This year’s Day of Giving is especially critical as we navigate challenging times to help create thriving futures for our students.”

Raise Some L 2022 begins at 6:02 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 18 and runs through midnight, Wednesday, Oct. 19. Interested participants can make a gift to any area of the university at .

In addition to online giving, in-person donations may be made at the Raise Some L Belknap Campus and Health Sciences Campus headquarters from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19.

The Student Organization for Alumni Relations will be stationed at Raise Some L headquarters at the quads of both campuses with snacks, activities and additional information.�� Share the word about Raise Some L by using #RaiseSomeL.

For information on other UofL Homecoming Week events, please visit the .

During the annual day of giving, which occurs during Homecoming week, more than 2,450 donors contributed to the 2021 total of $2,932,603. The number of donors surpassed the initial goal of 2,021 and the previous record of 2,206 donors set in 2019 as alumni, employees, students, friends and organizations gave to their favorite UofL areas where they wanted to make an impact.

“As a national metropolitan research university, the University of Louisville is thrilled that donors from all 50 states support us,” said UofL President Neeli Bendapudi. “We can’t achieve success without the aid of our donors, and again this year, they have come forward from throughout the United States to fund the programs, projects and initiatives we execute. I thank them, one and all.”

��A highlight among several large gifts was Delta Dental’s commitment of $1.07 million to the UofL School of Dentistry, celebrated by the campaign Oct. 20 at the Health Sciences Center with a live social media segment. Other gifts included $400,000 to the UofL Health Brown Cancer Center from the Thomas Dunbar family, $112,000 to the College of Business from Yum! Brands (parent company of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut) and $100,000 to the College of Arts and Sciences from alumna Monica Pearson ’75.��

The HSC and Belknap Campus each had a special campus headquarters during the fundraising period where students who donated at least $10 could snag a pair of Cardinal socks and where donors could commemorate their giving spirit with a selfie taken against a giant “I Raised Some L” backdrop.

The fundraising site featured more than 560 initiatives, including individual colleges and schools, student scholarships and student-led organizations.

“Once again, our Cardinal Family stepped up to give back to our university and the areas they believe in,” said Jasmine Farrier, vice president of university advancement. “This record-breaking support shows that the University of Louisville is vitally connected to our alumni, the community, commonwealth and beyond.�� We are grateful to our alumni, staff and faculty ambassadors who spent countless hours sharing updates about our programs across Belknap and Health Sciences to inspire Cardinals to learn more about student success, research innovation and community engagement at UofL.”

The Raise Some L campaign ran for 1,798 minutes, starting at 6:02 p.m. Oct. 19, in honor of the university’s founding year of 1798.

As former UofL head football coach, now ESPN College GameDay host Lee Corso says, “Not so fast, my friend.”

Raise Some L supporters made 2020 an absolutely great year for the university’s annual day of giving, increasing donations sevenfold from 2019 to 2020.

Held over 1,798 minutes (in honor of UofL’s founding year) Oct. 20 and Oct. 21, Raise Some L 2020 blew away last year’s total with $6.5 million in gifts and pledges from donors in 40 states across the county. In 2019, the total raised was a little in excess of $926,000.

Donors to Raise Some L chose where their gifts could be designated across the campus in academics, research, community engagement and clinical care.

“I want to say a big thank you … to all of you who supported Raise Some L, our annual day of giving. You came together as one Cardinal community to give back to those areas that you are most passionate about,” said UofL President Neeli Bendapudi. “You have demonstrated to the world that we stand united together in our mission.”

Bendapudi’s video message thanking donors is available for sharing

Competitions among groups helped keep the giving spirit alive throughout the event. Winners in each category were as follows:

Leaderboard Challenge

The Leaderboard Challenge Awards go to groups raising the most donations overall. These five winners will receive additional funding to their areas thanks to an anonymous donor:

1. RaiseRed Dance Marathon
2. School of Medicine
3. College of Arts & Sciences
4. MLK Scholars Program
5. UofL Health – James Graham Brown Cancer Center

Ambassador Impact

Three hundred, seventy-seven ambassadors volunteered as fundraisers for the event, raising 558 gifts with an average gift amount of $69. These top five ambassadors will receive additional funding to the area of their choice thanks to an anonymous donor:

1. Brian Buford
2. Jennifer Koch
3. Leslie Friesen
4. Amanda LeDuke
5. Lora Haynes

Early Bird Challenge

The Early Bird Challenge winner is the group raising the most funds by midnight on Oct. 20. This year’s winner is RaiseRed Dance Marathon.

Raise Some L is sponsored annually by University Advancement. More information about donating to UofL can be found

“The University of Louisville is grateful for our generous donors who support cutting-edge research, innovations in health care and student success,” said��Jasmine��Farrier, vice president for university advancement. “These extraordinary gifts help UofL become an even greater place to learn, work and invest.”

The support includes:

• $2.5 million to the from Otto D’Olivo to create the Otto and Susan D’Olivo Endowed Research Fund for Bipolar Disorder Treatment. This gift will establish an endowment to fund important research on bipolar and other mood disorders, conditions that affect one in five Americans. The focus of research will be on the basic mechanisms of these illnesses and the development of improved treatments.
• $1 million to the from an anonymous donor to kick off renovations to bring the school’s facilities up to national standards for student learning and adaptable teaching. These renovations will allow for hands-on experiences and opportunities for innovative thinking complemented by a state-of-the-art facility. In making the gift, the donor issued a challenge to support the next generation of nurses by giving back to the School of Nursing during the day of giving campaign.
• $1 million from Dr. and Mrs. William Cheadle to fund the that is responsible for directing all aspects of the general surgery residency program. “Mary and I wanted to give back to this outstanding residency training program which enabled me to achieve a successful academic career,” Dr. Cheadle said. “We appreciate the supreme devotion to the education of our surgical residents by Drs. (Hiram) Polk, (David) Richardson, (Kelly) McMasters and others in maintaining the highest standard of excellence of the University of Louisville general surgery residency.”
• $500,000 to the from Raymond Loyd to expand the M. Krista Loyd Resource Center and to fund transportation, housing and other needs for low-income patients as well as holistic therapies for all patients. A cancer survivor himself, Loyd is challenging everyone to give back and help save lives by giving to the center during Day of Giving.
• $100,000 to the from Hank and Rebecca Conn to continue and��advance the center’s goal of renewable energy��and promoting��technologies, practices and programs that increase efficiency for energy utilization. Hank Conn issued a challenge to fellow UofL supporters: “We have committed $100,000 for UofL’s day of giving…our passion is renewable energy…we’d like to see you push your passion.”
• $30,000 from the Bezos Family Foundation and $15,000 from the C. E. and S. Foundation to the . This fund supports programming related to the Center for Creative Placehealing’s Kentucky Wellbeing Challenge, which will launch a statewide program that provides inspiration, tools and a platform for high school students to design S.T.E.A.M. solutions to some of Kentucky’s most critical health and wellbeing challenges.

Raise Some L, the University of Louisville’s annual day of giving, kicks off at 6:02 p.m. on Oct. 20, running for 1,798 minutes in honor of the founding year of the university. Learn more at .

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