Falcon Day kicks off with fanfare

Yahoo

14-02-2025

Feb. 13—The 24 hours of Falcon Giving Day kicked off Thursday at University of Texas Permian Basin's Student Activity Center with celebration and the message that no gift was too big or too small for the university.
This is the fifth annual Falcon Giving Day and it featured Mariachis, videos and remarks from Vice President for Community Engagement and Partnerships Jacqui Gore and President Sandra Woodley.
A $50,000 challenge gift from The Sewell Family of Companies started things going.
Gore said you could give $5 or $500 to make an impact on students.
Woodley said the video shown points out that UTPB is there to make sure students have the chance to be successful.
"We love doing that, and every one of us in this room, and all of those who are not in this room who will hear about this opportunity, will have a chance to contribute to our students," Woodley said.
She added that this Falcon Giving Day was important for a lot of reasons.
"It highlights a day of unity and impact for our great university. Why does Falcon Day matter? Everything that is given, no matter what the size, makes a difference. Donations, as Jacqui said, supports our scholarships and our programs and our athletics. It is more than just about fundraising. Of course, it's about Falcons taking care of Falcons. Today, I want to acknowledge the donors, the ambassadors, the faculty, the staff, the students, for participating," she added.
Sewell's donation goes toward UTPB's Champions Fund for athletics.
"I encourage all of you to give, to get involved, to share this information, to celebrate our Falcons in all of their forms, and to challenge our Falcon community to step up and spread the word and make an impact," Woodley said.
Daniel Bright, a UTPB graduate and former Outstanding Alumni and representative of The Sewell Family of Companies, gave remarks and a $2,500 donation.
"We're excited to give y'all $50,000 and start this off also being an alumni here, I think this building (the Student Activity Center) was finishing in 2010 when I was graduating with my master's. UTPB is near and dear to me. It helped me be successful where I'm at now and get to where I can help provide back with Sandy and Tatum and her whole team. It's very exciting to be here today to help start this off, and hopefully everybody get their checkbooks out and start donating. I'd like to be the first one. I'll do a personal donation of $2,500," Bright said.
Tatum Hubbard is Chief of Staff/VP of Marketing and Communications.
Gore added that Feb. 13 was UTPB night at Raising Cane's.
"Go by and pick it up on your way home, and a percentage of those dollars will come right back to UTPB and help with Falcon Giving Day," Gore added.
A phone bank was also set up to make calls to donors. They were going to be there until 5 p.m. Thursday and from about 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Friday.
Mariachis played in honor of Woodley's birthday, which in Feb. 14.
"Sewell Family of Companies are such great partners in the community, all around and we're always grateful when they step up, particularly to provide this initial grant that really challenges other people to give to the university. We're so grateful for Sewell and all of the other donors who will come through on this Falcon Giving Day for the university," Woodley said.
She added that Sewell has always been a partner with UTPB in many different ways.
"This is, I think, their first year that they've done the challenge gift, and it's very exciting to have them step up and lead in that way," Woodley said.
Gore said these scholarship dollars are vital to getting students in the doors.
"Many of our students would not be able to attend college if it weren't for scholarship dollars that were available. Your help will allow these students to attend UT Permian Basin, where maybe they wouldn't be able to otherwise," Gore said.
Senior softball players Michaella Baker and Samantha Rodriguez said the scholarship funds are really helpful.
Baker plays designated hitter and Rodriguez plays third base.
Baker is an education major and Rodriguez is a sociology major.
Both are transfer students, Baker from Odessa College and Rodriguez from Midland College. She transferred to another university and is spending her senior year at UTPB.
"At the end of the day, coming here and graduating debt free off scholarships, is really helpful," Baker said.
Rodriguez noted that you can get transfer scholarships and Falcon Giving Day helps with that.
Baker thanked all the donors.
Rodriguez thanked the donors and the school for creating a very safe and family like community.