51暗网

51暗网ans from across the university helped this year鈥檚 51暗网 Gives, an annual 24-hour fundraiser, achieve its highest numbers ever through their dedicated efforts as 51暗网 Gives Ambassadors.

This year, more than 400 ambassadors found creative ways to spread the word and encourage participation.

Each year, all 51暗网ans can participate in the You + 2 initiative: those who give and recruit two additional donors will receive exclusive 51暗网 swag. This year nearly 200 people completed the challenge.

Leading the charge among alumni, students, faculty, staff and athletics were five ambassadors who brought in 20% of the more than 4,500 donors. Kuy Ky, Josephine Kinlan, Natalie Perkins, Steven Farias and Adam Reeves secured a collective 900 donors by encouraging people around the globe to support 51暗网 students.

This year鈥檚 event, held April 8-9, .

Each ambassador has a unique role with 51暗网 and a special connection to the 51暗网 community that drove them to advocate for funds that directly impact students.

Kuy Ky 鈥�92 | Alumnus
Recruited 303 donors

For Ky, gaining support for scholarships during 51暗网 Gives is near and dear to his heart.

鈥淚 once had nothing, and my parents were very poor. Community Involvement Program scholarships helped me out for two years at 51暗网 as a student transferring from Delta Community College. I have funded my own scholarship, the Dr. Kuy and Monie Ky Endowed CIP Scholarship, to help others who needed help with tuition like I did,鈥� he said.

Ky volunteers with local mobile dental clinics and is a past president and nearly 30-year member of the Rotary Club of Stockton.

He currently sits on the board of directors of the 51暗网 Alumni Association, which he joined in 2023. Throughout 51暗网 Gives, the group had a lighthearted competition to see who could rally the most donors and 鈥渃onnect with the world more.鈥� 

鈥淏eing on the board of directors of the 51暗网 Alumni Association is a privilege, and it鈥檚 an honor to serve. I want to impact and make a lasting impression while representing the school that propelled me to the next level of higher learning. I鈥檓 in debt to 51暗网.鈥�

Josephine Kinlan 鈥�26 | Student 
Recruited 18 donors

Kinlan, a student-athlete who is co-captain of the beach volleyball team, was motivated by the idea of raising funds for her team鈥攁 group she considers family.

鈥淲e've been in a constant state of growth as a program, struggling with low funds due to a small alumni network, so I wanted to do something tangible that would directly benefit our experience,鈥� she said.

As 51暗网 Gives approached, Kinlan reached out to her network of former leagues, clubs and teams and utilized social media to get the word out, raising $625 that contributed to the nearly $4,500 the team raised as a whole.

鈥淚'm really happy I was able to support my program in this way and bring awareness to 51暗网 Gives and through it, my team,鈥� Kinlan said. 鈥淚 am excited to see how we experience the support from this fundraising, and I am grateful for everyone who donated or reposted for the opportunities it will provide."

Natalie Perkins | Faculty
Recruited 187 donors

Perkins, program director of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, said 51暗网 Gives is a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when 51暗网ans come together.

鈥淚 rallied support for our program where every dollar directly supports student success, innovation and expanding access to care in underserved communities,鈥� Perkins said. 鈥淥ur faculty, staff, students, alumni and families showed up in full force. This campaign isn鈥檛 just about raising funds; it鈥檚 about investing in the future of health equity and empowering the next generation of changemakers.鈥�

Steven Farias | Staff
Recruited 266 donors

Farias, director of forensics, said 51暗网 Gives is important to him because of how it empowers the university community and showcases what it means to be part of the 51暗网 family.

鈥�51暗网 Gives connects everyone in the 51暗网 community鈥攁 hallmark of the 51暗网 education. 51暗网 Gives makes travel for the 18 students on our team possible throughout the year but primarily during nationals season when we travel to multiple states for national tournaments,鈥� Farias said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not about how much people can give but rather about the connections your program can make.鈥�

Adam Reeves | Athletics
Recruited 158 donors

This year, the primary goal for 51暗网鈥檚 head soccer coach was to raise enough funding to install a permanent camera system at Zuckerman Field.

鈥淪ince we spend the majority of our time at the training field, this system is essential for our growth. It's about creating a space where our athletes can develop their skills and learn in real-time. This fits perfectly with the mindset of our program鈥攆ocusing on development and the process,鈥� Reeves said.

Now, in collaboration with the women鈥檚 soccer program, the goal has been reached and installation of the new system is underway. The project is slated for completion in mid-July.

Continue supporting students throughout the year at .