First Annual Tuition Freedom Day
April 9, 2015

On Thursday, April 9, freedom rang on Geneva’s campus—tuition freedom, that is. The first annual Tuition Freedom Day was observed as a day of gratitude marking the point in the academic year when tuition stops paying for a student’s education and support from donors takes over. For the remainder of the year, gifts to the college make a Geneva education possible. This first annual event was in celebration of Geneva’s generous donors.

Tuition Freedom Day was initiated as a means to create awareness among the student body of the impact that fundraising and philanthropy has on the college. Without outside funding, the tuition for many students would dramatically increase. We hope to educate students about the importance of giving back to the college and how they directly benefit from the generosity of alumni and friends.

The celebration took place in the Brig with dozens of students writing thank-you notes to donors and enjoying donut holes to remind them of the missing piece in their tuition that is generously “filled” by donors.

In 2014, over $2.5 million was given to Geneva College students by generous alumni and friends. Without these gifts, many students would not otherwise be able to receive a Geneva education or have the same experience that the donations afford them.

There are many words to describe the ways in which donations enhance the student experience.