SEMO Giving Day focuses every year on giving by offering a number of challenges and opportunities for supporters to give small amounts to make a big difference across campus. Donors can select the areas they would like to support with an overall goal of raising $350,000 on the day.

“Our alumni are known for giving back to campus,” said Vice President of University Advancement and Executive Director of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation Wendell Snodgrass. “Donors can choose to make an impact in a number of areas, whether that’s a specific academic area, a specific project or program, or athletics. SEMO Giving Day allows alumni and friends to personalize their gifts and direct them to the areas that positively impacted them. Because of this, we can continue to transform and improve for the next chapter of our history.”

The theme of this year’s SEMO Giving Day is “Transform the Nest,” a fitting complement to the $60 million Transforming Lives comprehensive campaign that the University launched in October 2023 which focuses four pillars; academics, athletics, technology, and facilities.  The announcement was part of the University’s sesquicentennial celebration which honor’s the University’s 150-year history of serving the region. Southeast was founded as a normal school in 1873 and has progressed into an educational leader. Its proud history of excellence in education includes innovative academics, experiential learning, and a vast network of difference-making alumni.

“Our Southeast community has helped form the University into what it is today,” said Snodgrass. “Through the Transforming Lives campaign and every Giving Day, gifts from our donors help us create educational opportunities to serve our students. We can’t see where they can take us next.”