Elizabethtown College’s community came together for a record-setting Power of One Day, Etown’s annual 24-hour day of giving on Tuesday, March 24. The powerful celebration and outpouring of generosity led to 2,400 donors helping raise an incredible $813,059 — the highest totals in Power of One Day history.

“This year’s remarkable Power of One Day success speaks to the strength of our community and is a powerful reminder of what it means to be Blue Jays,” Elizabethtown College President Betty Rider said. “Together, our impact is opening doors of opportunity for our students and ensuring they can pursue lives of purpose.”

Power of One day provided donors an opportunity to give to the areas of the College they love most, supporting the people, programs, and places that make Etown exceptional. Donors supported more than 110 different areas of Etown, including academic departments, athletic teams, student clubs, and scholarship funds. 

Highlights included donors from 40 states, spanning alumni and students who range from the class of 1959 to 2030.

Power of One Day 2026 featured exciting giveaways and incentives, including a special dinner with President Betty Rider. Nearly $400,000 in challenge and match dollars donated by generous alumni, parents, and friends of the College were unlocked.

The 2026 challenges included:

  • 500 Total Donors unlocked $15,000 from Carol Metzler ’77
  • 1,000 Total Donors unlocked $20,000 from Board of Trustees Chairman Mike ’88 and Caryn ’88 Spangler
  • 1,500 Total Donors unlocked $100,000 from Trustee Bob ’90 and Susan ’90 Sands 
  • 2,240 Total Donors unlocked $100,000 from an anonymous member of the Class of 1981
  • 1,000 Athletics Donors unlocked a total of $20,000 from an anonymous member of the Ira R. Herr Athletic Hall of Fame; Hob ’71 and Marilyn Kroesen; Rod Chamberlain ’74 and Anne Findlay-Chamberlain; Joe ’82 and Julie Harriger; and David Thompson ’82
  • 100 Student Donors unlocked $750 from from Andy ’85 and Kathleen Keefer P’28
  • 175 Faculty and Staff Donors unlocked $20,000 from former VP of Institutional Advancement David C. Beidleman and his wife, Renie
  • 500 Alumni Donors in the Classes of 2000-2025 unlocked $20,000 from Ryan ’00 and Schyler Heishman
  • 250 #OneEtown Social Media Shares unlocked $10,000 from Alex ’76 and Cindy Risser
  • 125 Total Donors between the 10 to 11 a.m. Power Hour unlocked $15,000 from Trustee Tom McGonigle P’10, P’17
  • 125 Total Donors between the 3 to 4 p.m. Bonus Power Hour unlocked $22,500 from Jim ’73, H’24 and Mary Shreiner G’24

View more Power of One Day results.