The 1856 Challenge: 2023 Edition

2,040
Donors
109% of 1,856 Donor goal
$539,472
Donated
This campaign ended on April 26, 2023, but you can still make a gift to St. Lawrence University by clicking here!
Matches iconMatches
View All
An Anonymous DonorSanna Koivumรคki matched $20

An Anonymous DonorElizabeth M. Edwards matched $20

Kiersten Larrabee photoKiersten Larrabee matched $20

Jabari Bowen photoJabari Bowen matched $25

Katie Dolan photoKatie Dolan matched $25

Sonja Jensen photoSonja Jensen matched $25

Mary Baucom photoMary Baucom matched $25

Denny Morreale photoDenny Morreale matched $25

An Anonymous DonorElsa coughlin matched $25

An Anonymous DonorJoshua Lashway & Molly Plunkett Lashway matched $50

An Anonymous DonorCameron Bruns Ewing matched $50

Amanda Brewer photoAmanda Brewer & Andrew Diehl matched $50

An Anonymous DonorCooper McCrillis matched $50

An Anonymous DonorCooper McCrillis matched $50

Erica Byrne photoErica Byrne matched $50

Christina photoChristina Robichaud matched $75

Bailey Elizabeth photoBailey Campbell matched $100

Nicholle Gotham photoNicholle Gotham matched $100

Emily Roy photoEmily Doolan-Roy matched $100

An Anonymous DonorClaire Oโ€™Neil matched $100

Madeline Fones photoMadeline Fones matched $100

An Anonymous DonorMatt Dodge & Taylor Moon matched $100

Cailand Lainey photoCailand Lainey & Nicholas Lainey matched $100

Laura Patrick photoLaura Patrick matched $150

An Anonymous DonorAaron Bushey-Hansen matched $200

An Anonymous DonorMary Claire Schwab Farnham matched $250

Bill Prescott photoBill Prescott matched $250

An Anonymous DonorHulit P Taylor matched $450

An Anonymous DonorAnne Ferris Cassidy matched $500

Paige Palley photoPaige Palley matched $530

An Anonymous DonorDaniel Graham '00 matched $1,000

An Anonymous DonorAn Anonymous Donor matched $1,100

An Anonymous DonorAn Anonymous Donor matched $2,500

An Anonymous DonorAn Anonymous Donor matched $5,000

An Anonymous DonorSue Hawkes Wight '73, P'00, '10 matched $5,000

An Anonymous DonorWells Blaxter '92 matched $7,500

An Anonymous DonorAn Anonymous Donor matched $10,000

An Anonymous DonorDon Stuart '77 matched $10,000

An Anonymous DonorAn Anonymous Donor matched $10,000

An Anonymous DonorPeter Hunt '75 & Mary Jo Faucher Hunt '76 matched $18,560
Challenges iconChallenges
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Allie Rowland photoAllie Rowland gave $100

An Anonymous DonorAlisa Scott '94 gave $30,000
Incentives
Donate $100
None Left!
Thanks for making it rain! Donโ€™t let weather slow you down with your new custom St. Lawrence Saints poncho.

Donate $100
None Left!
Thanks for helping us stack the deck for our students! Shuffle up and deal out your new custom St. Lawrence stained glass window playing cards.

Donate $100
None Left!
Cheers to you! Enjoy your coffee chats with fellow Laurentians using your new, reusable St. Lawrence Saints travel mug.

Donate $100
None Left!
Hail Alma Mater! Never lose your page in The Gridiron with your custom St. Lawrence-inspired book hook.

Donate $1,856
Only 5 left!
The Founderโ€™s Incentive awaits those interested in matching their gift size with the Universityโ€™s founding year! Gifts of $1,856 and above claim each incentive item above AND a custom St. Lawrence hammock.

Donate $100
None Left!
Unlock Success! With a gift of $100 or more, claim a custom 1856 Key Chain

Donate $250
None Left!
SLU Rocks! Claim your custom 1856 rocks glass

Donate $100
None Left!
Cheers to you! Enjoy your coffee chats with fellow Laurentians using your new, reusable St. Lawrence Saints travel mug.

Donate $2,500
Be a Scarlet & Brown Leader! Claim your custom SLU-gear
About

Help Us Unlock $125,000 for St. Lawrence Students!

The 1856 Challenge: 2023 Edition aims to unite alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends around the Scarlet & Brown.  Generous Laurentian leaders are so inspired by the potential of our combined effort โ€“ and our outstanding students โ€“ theyโ€™re challenging our community, which can unlock up to $125,000 to vital St. Lawrence Fund priorities, including Health & Wellness and Sustainability, by reaching 1,856 donors before 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 26.

Gifts of all sizes to any priority count towards our ambitious effort, including Scholarship, Health & Wellness, Diversity and Inclusion, Career Programming, Excellence in Teaching, Sustainability, and the St. Lawrence Fund.  Unsure which priority to support?  Take our 1856 Challenge Quiz and see which philanthropic personality you are!


Incentives

Give The 1856 Challenge momentum and take advantage of a custom Incentive!


With a gift of $100+, early donors can claim one of the following custom 1856 incentives:

  • Adventurer: Thanks for making it rain! Donโ€™t let weather slow you down with your new custom St. Lawrence Saints poncho.
  • Competitor: Thanks for helping us stack the deck for our students! Shuffle up and deal out your new custom St. Lawrence stained glass window playing cards.
  • DeveloperCheers to you! Enjoy your coffee chats with fellow Laurentians using your new, reusable St. Lawrence Saints travel mug.
  • Inspirer: Hail Alma Mater! Never lose your page in The Gridiron with your custom St. Lawrence-inspired book hook.

The Founderโ€™s Incentive awaits those interested in matching their gift size with the Universityโ€™s founding year!  Gifts of $1,856 and above claim each incentive item above AND a custom St. Lawrence hammock.

Throughout our climb to 1,856 donors, we will highlight key St. Lawrence numbers, with the corresponding donor winning a special 1856 Prize Pack! You never know who might win!

Memory Lane
Updates
Thank you, from the Candle in the Wilderness!



The 1856 Challenge: 2023 Edition is in the books, and thanks to you, it is one of the most successful fundraising achievements in St. Lawrence history!  We met our lead challengers' three lofty goals, unlocking $135,000 total and honoring the amazing Class of 2023 along the way.

2,040 Donors.  $539,472 for St. Lawrence students.  A truly special effort that included alumni gifts spanning the classes of 1949 through 2022, over 270 gifts from current seniors, the momentum-building gifts from parents, and wonderful support from faculty and staff who cherish time with our students.

Thank you to all of our advocates, who waved the Scarlet and Brown as challengers, matchers and connectors!  A special thanks to our lead challengers Andrรฉ Couture '82, P'15, Julie Black Hitch '88 and Jordan Hitch, Ed '86 and Sara Keller P'24, Tim '80 and Carolyn Streett Simpson '81, P'13, Will '88 and Laura Wilson P'23 for their generous support to generate excitement and move the needle.

On behalf of a grateful campus community, thank you all so, so much!


222 days ago by Joe Keniston
You Did It! 1,856 Donors Unlocks $100,000

The Chapel Bells are ringing with pride, as the St. Lawrence community has achieved its goal of 1,856 donors before 8 p.m. ET! And while it was certainly a photo finish, Tracey Gale Yorio '86 was our 1,856th donor and snags the final prize pack.

BUT WAIT...

Our lead challengers, who generously have contributed $100,000 to St. Lawrence to support student needs Including sustainability and health & wellness, want to push all the way to the finish line.  If we can reach 2,023 donors, in honor of the Senior Class, they will add an additional $10,000!

Let's get it done!


222 days ago by Joe Keniston
The Parade is Going Strong! Donor No. 1,690 Knows the Route

The Scarlet and Brown parade to 1,856 is in full force now, and we've got Claire Niederbuhl Skidmore '72 leading the way!  Claire, who celebrated her 50th Reunion last year, knows the Alumni Parade route around the Quad well and landed at Donor No. 1,690 which just happens to be the number of feet in the parade route!  Who will win the coveted Hervey Cup at Reunion in 2023?  Remains to be seen.  Until then, onward to 1,856 towards a $100,000 bonus!


222 days ago by Joe Keniston
Touchdown, DeFazio!! Donor No. 1,540

Wyoming's own Dave DeFazio '92 hauls in a touchdown-of-a-prize with an 1856 Pack in honor of the Saints football team's passing yards last season (1,540). 

Saints, we're in the 4th Quarter now, and no timeouts left.  Let's post a game-winning drive, together!


222 days ago by Joe Keniston
Emily gets a SLICE of Victory! Donor No. 1,370

"When the moon hits your eye with a Sergi's pizza pie, that's amore!" 

Congratulations to Emily Whipple '23, who continues an impressive run by the current seniors and claims the 1856 Prize Pack for 1,370 slices of pizza eaten at Laurentian Weekend 2022.  Frank was so proud!  Donor No. 1,371 was Trey Pierce '26, and we're so impressed with this philanthropy as a sophomore, we're treating Trey to a free Sergi's pizza roll!


222 days ago by Joe Keniston
Erin Shoots and SCOOOORES!!! Donor No. 1,231

The red light is flashing and the air siren at Appleton Arena is blaring for Erin O'Brien '23 who is our 1,231st donor!  Erin scores an 1856 Prize Pack in honor of Coach Wells and the women's hockey team's total number of shots taken throughout the 2022-23 season.  Here We Go Saints!


223 days ago by Joe Keniston
Time to Flex the Golden Pipes for Donor No. 1,129!

"HAIL ALMA MATER!!"  We get goosebumps when the Laurentian Singers belt out that phrase.  This year, the group's spring tour included stops in New York City, Boston, Rochester, Burlington and more.  After traveling 1,129 miles, they returned safely to campus.  In honor of the Laurentian Singers, and Director of Music Ensembles Barry Torres who is set to retire this year, we recognize donor No. 1,129, Joe and Laura Bicknell Carbone from the surging class of 1991!


223 days ago by Joe Keniston
Sing it, Bon Jovi! $25,000 Bonus Unlocked

That's right, fellow Laurentians: Donor No. 928 mean's we're halfway there!  Congratulations and thanks to our halfway markers, Steve and Amy Kessing P'26, who know we've gotta hold on to what we've got, and it makes a difference if we make it or not!  By reaching 928 donors, we've unlocked $25,000 from our primary challengers for the St. Lawrence Fund, with an additional $100,000 if we can match our effort before 8 p.m. ET tomorrow.  If we stick together, we'll make it I swear!


223 days ago by Joe Keniston
Ryan '20 is inSPIREd as Donor No. 865

When the new spire was lowered atop Gunnison Memorial Chapel in 2015, Laurentians gathered on the Quad to sing the Alma Mater.  That spire had quite a road trip, 865 miles from Kentucky to Canton. Congratulations to Ryan Young '20 on being donor No. 865, with a Prize Pack that will also have quite a road trip to California!


223 days ago by Joe Keniston
Un-BRRRR-lieveable! Kelley '97 is donor No. 796!

There's no digging out of this one!  Kelley Bordeleau Lamb '97, M'98 is the 796th donor to this year's 1856 Challenge!  This prize pack is in memory of the 79.6" of average snowfall in Canton...and also the 79.6% chance it snows again before June!

223 days ago by Joe Keniston
What a TREAT for Pam & Jason! Donor No. 664

Congratulations to Pam Swanson '12 and Jason Kyle '13 on landing Comet's Prize Pack as donor No. 664!  Comet has served as the Presidential Pup at MacAllaster House since July 1, 2021.  What a good boy!


223 days ago by Joe Keniston
"Dream" Weaver! Danni is Donor No. 511!

That escalated quickly! One lunch break and POW we're well past Donor No. 511, representing the number of seats in Gulick Theatre.  Shout out to the Class of 2007's reporter Danni Weaver Nesselbush, who claims this prize pack.  We hope this exciting win makes it into the next Magazine Column.  Congrats Dani!


223 days ago by Joe Keniston
Wilson for the Win! Donor #354

Congratulations going out to our first student prize pack winner, Keenan Wilson '23!  Keenan, who supported the Senior Class Gift, was donor No. 354 recognizing the number of students who are living in Theme Houses in 2022-23.  That said, our THEME today is Scarlet & Brown, right Keenan?!


224 days ago by Joe Keniston
Nom Nom, Donor No. 180: Julie Parker '84!

NOM NOM Indeed!!  Our talented team in Dining Services bakes 180 Pub Cookies per day, and that unlocks an 1856 Prize Pack for Julie Parker '84.  Thanks for your support, Julie!

The climb to 1,856 is underway!  Thank you to all who have given us early momentum.  Off to get a glass of milk...




224 days ago by Joe Keniston
Congratulations Donor No. 72, Erica Rapp Wilcoxson '01!

As we start the push to 1,856 donors, we have our first 1856-Prize Pack winner!  To recognize our Campus Kitchens volunteers, who serve the North Country community with pride while living at 72 Park Street, we recognize our 72nd donor to this year's 1856 Challenge, Erica Rapp Wilcoxson '01
Which number might be next???

224 days ago by Joe Keniston

Donor Maps
Class
Class YearDonorsRaised ($)
19582$10
19570$0
201924$866
201824$957
19534$4,300
19645$275
199025$7,346
201526$1,032
199423$43,513
198625$10,328
197421$5,470
200413$4,845
202410$88
198030$7,499
198926$13,679
197812$2,025
199223$10,151
200016$3,786
202218$800
199327$12,861
198120$6,132
198724$5,209
202522$138
201121$1,214
201426$1,971
196816$3,880
200620$2,646
198521$5,800
197921$5,750
197616$20,855
198222$21,268
197718$16,540
199923$3,426
199520$8,636
197222$3,656
199720$3,692
202022$539
200824$7,972
200210$835
201335$3,722
19564$300
201626$1,869
198318$2,025
201731$1,187
196712$2,470
197517$26,796
200518$3,592
198844$10,618
19699$3,725
196112$2,936
201231$1,647
200912$1,080
198422$5,191
199131$12,195
200724$4,621
19511$100
19628$1,960
201026$1,266
200329$2,587
202114$372
197336$33,375
19541$100
197117$2,865
199828$2,825
19606$1,769
200111$2,181
19633$263
199611$1,085
19657$1,600
2023272$26,812
19522$1,015
19550$0
19502$1,856
19597$2,600
19666$470
20269$72
19709$1,150
Donor Affiliations
Gradhat icon52%Alumni
Book icon13%Students
Parent icon12%Parents
Suitcase icon6%Faculty/Staff
Friends icon2%Friends
Most Recent Donors
Arlene & Gary Najarian photo
Arlene & Gary Najarian
Sarah H Calabrese photo
Sarah H Calabrese
Greta Miller & William Miller photo
Greta Miller & William Miller
Betty Ann MacDonald & Ronnie photo
Betty Ann MacDonald & Ronnie
Edward F Morris photo
Edward F Morris
Samantha McDermott photo
Samantha McDermott
Julie & Steve Ogden photo
Julie & Steve Ogden
Sally Fleming Watters & NO photo
Sally Fleming Watters & NO
An Anonymous Donor
Anonymous
Brooke James Rouse & Charles Rouse photo
Brooke James Rouse & Charles Rouse
View All Donors

Advocates

Alisa Scott '94 photo
Alisa Scott '94
Gave $30,000 during a Challenge!
Peter Hunt '75 photo
Peter Hunt '75
Heart icon matched a total of $18,560
Anonymous photo
Anonymous
Heart icon matched a total of $10,000
Don Stuart '77 photo
Don Stuart '77
Heart icon matched a total of $10,000
Anonymous photo
Anonymous
Heart icon matched a total of $10,000
Wells Blaxter '92 photo
Wells Blaxter '92
Heart icon matched a total of $7,500
Beth Slater photo
Beth Slater
Heart icon matched 18 gifts for a total of $90
generated 12 gifts, totaling $7,091
Sue Hawkes Wight '73, P'00, '10 photo
Sue Hawkes Wight '73, P'00, '10
Heart icon matched a total of $5,000
Anonymous photo
Anonymous
Heart icon matched a total of $5,000
Anonymous photo
Anonymous
Heart icon matched a total of $2,500