Ohio Dominican University has received a $3 million challenge gift from an anonymous donor to support scholarships for students. This marks the largest gift made to the university in its 112-year history.
During the 2022-23 academic year, 100% of ODU’s full-time undergraduate students received some form of financial aid. Each year, the university provides approximately $14 million in unfunded aid to help make an ODU education affordable and attainable for all students, regardless of economic status.
“I am immensely grateful to our anonymous donor for their significant generosity in making this gift, which will allow us to engage, serve and educate students who dream of obtaining an ODU education, but may lack the financial means to do so without assistance,” ODU President Connie Gallaher said.
The donor structured $1 million of the overall gift to serve as a 2-to-1 challenge, inviting other members of the ODU and Central Ohio communities to join alongside their lead gift. The donor has agreed to match $2 for every $1 donated to ODU until that $1 million level is reached, which has the potential to raise an additional $500,000 to support student scholarships. Every dollar given toward this initiative will be matched until the full challenge has been received.
“Every full-time undergraduate student attending Ohio Dominican receives some form of financial assistance, and nearly 40% of our undergrads are Pell eligible. We know an ODU education changes lives and lifts families, and gifts like this help to equip us with critical financial resources that allow us to impact our students in profound and lasting ways. On behalf of the ODU community, we are grateful for the transformative support of this donor and belief they have in the mission – and students – of Ohio Dominican University,” Gallaher said.
“For well over a century, Ohio Dominican University has been critical to providing students from Central Ohio and beyond with an outstanding college education grounded in the Catholic Dominican tradition,” the donor said. “Today, perhaps more than ever before, it is vital that ODU continue to provide students with an education that not only prepares them for professional and lifelong success, but that equips them with the foundational skills, knowledge and experiences they need to serve as ethical and effective leaders grounded in the pursuit of truth, justice and peace. We understand the significant financial need of ODU’s students, so we encourage others to join us and support these talented and deserving individuals as they are able.”
Individuals who would like to participate as a donor toward this challenge may visit give.ohiodominican.edu to make a gift or learn more.