Every year, Hokie Nation unites for 24 hours of camaraderie, competition, and generosity—all in support of Virginia Tech programs. Giving Day 2025 is a powerful opportunity for our Pamplin community to display their Hokie Spirit.

From noon EST on Wednesday, February 19, to noon EST on Thursday, February 20, Pamplin College of Business  —including distinguished alumni, corporate partners, faculty, staff, parents, friends, and students—will rally together to maintain Pamplin’s leadership on Virginia Tech’s Giving Day leaderboard for the fifth consecutive year. In 2024, Pamplin led all colleges and units, raising an extraordinary $3.8 million from 3,276 generous donors. This year, we set our sights even higher—3,400 unique donors—to continue strengthening the next generation of business leaders.

Challenges that Drive Meaningful Results.

Giving Day provides us with the opportunity to amplify every contribution! This year's Giving Day challenges unlock significant additional funding based on donor engagement.

  • Virginia Tech Advantage Giving Day Challenge, this year, benefits the APEX Center for Entrepreneurs in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the center’s founding and is supported by Ted ’91 and Linda ’89 Hanson, who are committed to supporting student success through entrepreneurship education and transformational learning experiences.

    The Apex Center for Entrepreneurs programs are open to all university students and the center is based in Pamplin College of Business. Donors can contribute to any Pamplin fund and help unlock additional funds for the Hanson’s challenge. For every 340 unique donors, $10,000 will be unlocked for the APEX Center for Entrepreneurs up to a total of $100,000.

  • The 2025 Dean’s Challenge will support our “Pamplin Plus” students by unlocking $10,000 at 3,000 unique donors and an additional $10,000 when we reach our goal of 3,400 donors, for a total of $20,000.

    “Our Pamplin-plus students embody an entrepreneurial spirit, thinking agilely, seizing opportunities, and solving complex business challenges through collaboration that transforms data analytics into actionable insights,” says Dean Sarker. “They are proficient in digital technologies and platforms, committed to lifelong learning, and equipped to tackle real-world problems with rigor, relevance, and responsiveness to the evolving needs of business and industry.”

  • A $100,000 challenge fund will be distributed among the top 10 departments, programs, and initiatives with the highest donor participation. First place secures $20,000, with incremental awards down to $2,000 for the 10th-place unit. Units ranking 11-38 will also unlock additional funding as we reach our Giving Day milestones.

  • A total of $15,000 will be awarded to the top three groups or funds demonstrating the highest year-over-year donor growth. The leading fund will receive $7,500, with $5,000 and $2,500 going to second and third place, respectively.

Engage in Executive Leadership Giving

A distinguished group of business leaders and alumni have already stepped forward to support Giving Day.  The Leaderboard concept started in 2021 when Jake Lutz was the sole donor with a $10,000 commitment.  “In the intervening years, Giving Day has evolved to be a tremendous engine of support for Pamplin,” says Lutz, a former University Rector, Pamplin Dean’s Pamplin Advisory Council (PAC) member, and University Alumni Board member.  Since then, many other alumni have joined, including fellow PAC member, Gary Cole, who matched Lutz’s gift  in 2021. “We have challenged others to join us in supporting the Leaderboard,  encouraging the Pamplin community to step forward with winning participation in Giving Day and serving as Giving Day Ambassadors,” Lutz says. “Most importantly, the funds raised help to support the many departments, centers and programs with critical annual operating support.”

We extend our sincere gratitude to our 2025 Leaderboard donors, including:

Andy McCullough | Anonymous | Bridget Ryan-Berman | Brian Cook  | Carman Liuzzo | CE Andrews | Chip Devine | Chris Xystros  | Conrad Saldanha | Debbie Petrine | Don Halliwill | Don Neff | Floyd Merryman | Gary Cole | Greg Carter | Greg Thompson | Ivy Bryant | Jake Lutz | Jason Peay | Jim Pearman | Kendley Davenport | Kim Shanahan | Lisa Kay | Lynn Doughtie | M. Dwight Shelton | Mark Maloney |  Matt Ogburn | Mike Clarke | Morgan Blackwood Patel | Nick Cullen | Richie Whitt | Shirley Edwards | Steve Pierson |Tracy Castle-Newman | Victor Vecchiariello

Be the catalyst for transformation. Make your gift, rally your network, and shape the future of Pamplin College of Business.

Contact:

Tags

Share this story