AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: Syracuse University’s Giving Day features student creator content
Mimi Davis: Syracuse University holds its annual Giving Day tomorrow. S-U Professor Chris Velardi worked with the alumni office on planning the day’s events. Velardi says this year they want donors to get a closer look into what makes the university so special- the students.
Chris Velardi: One of the things we’re trying to do on Giving Day this year is show everyone the Syracuse experience through the eyes of the students.
Davis: Giving Day will be featuring student content through the university’s Center for the Creator Economy. Donors can watch live broadcasts, student media, and make donations all on the Giving Day website. Velardi says engagement is important but the day is about more than just money.
Velardi: It’s about feeling like you can give back to the place that gave so much to you.
Davis: Giving Day takes place on the university’s 156th anniversary of opening. The Schine Student Center will have live broadcasts throughout the day. Donations can be made at Giving-Day Dot S-Y-R Dot E-D-U.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) — Syracuse University will host its annual Giving Day on Tuesday, bringing together student creators, alumni and campus leaders for a day of storytelling, fundraising and community engagement.
The event will center around the Schine Student Center, which will serve as a hub for live broadcasts throughout the day featuring students sharing their individual Syracuse experiences.
Chris Velardi, a professor and director in the university’s alumni relations office, helped organize the lineup of events designed to highlight the impact of giving across campus. Giving Day 2026 has a new goal to engage donors in the Syracuse experience, Veraldi said.
“One of the things we’re trying to do on Giving Day this year is show everyone the Syracuse experience through the eyes of the students,” Veraldi said.
In collaboration with Syracuse University’s Center for the Creator Economy, student content creators, across all colleges are going to give donors a look into what makes Syracuse so special. Donors have the opportunity to watch live broadcasts from the Schine Student Center every two hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Although donations make a difference, Veraldi said Giving Day is about more than just money. He said it’s about engagement and making opportunities for the next generation.
“It’s about participation. It’s about feeling like you can give back to the place that gave so much to you. It’s not about writing these huge checks,” Veraldi said.
Giving Day encourages alumni to make donations to organizations or scholarships that made their Syracuse experience unique. Donations help to cover what tuition payments and the endowment cannot, like supporting the new generation and their futures.
Giving Day 2026 takes place on the 156th anniversary of Syracuse University.
“Syracuse is a special place, and to be able to celebrate its birthday by making just a small gift to ensure that it continues to be a special place for everyone, is really one of the things that makes Giving Day so special,” Veraldi said.
The live student broadcasts and content are featured on giving.syr.edu, where community members and alumni can also make donations throughout the day.