Kent State University at Ashtabula’s annual Giving Tuesday fundraising drive began on Nov. 1, 2024, aimed at supporting the Susan J. Stocker Ashtabula Campus Development Fund toward renovation and improvements to the John W. Zabak Conference Suite – the Blue and Gold, Oak and Lake Rooms – within Susan J. Stocker Hall.
For more than 50 years, the Blue & Gold, Oak and Lake Rooms have played an important role in Ashtabula County and the region. This year’s raised funds will support enhancing these spaces, which are vital to the community as hubs for events, meetings and gatherings that foster collaboration and connection.
Over the years, this important section of Stocker Hall has hosted countless events, from educational workshops to community meetings. As the campus continues to grow, so does the need for modern, functional spaces that meet the evolving needs of our students, faculty, staff, community members and guests.
“These spaces have hosted many important events, and have seen many momentous decisions made, over the years,” said R. William Ayres IV, dean and chief administrative officer. “These spaces also serve as a key resource for our faculty, staff, and students as places to come together as a campus community to celebrate, collaborate, and plan our future together.”
Throughout the month-long Giving Tuesday campaign there are some key upcoming dates in the campaign that help leverage gifts to their maximum potential:
- November 12: Triple Your Gift Tuesday – all gifts to Featured Funds are matched by individual donors AND then again by volunteer boards. Matches are made up to $500 gift per donor with a total of $25,000 available for all donors until money runs out.
- November 19-26: Donor/Dollar Challenge Week – funds with the most unique donors during this week or funds that raise the most money during this week are eligible for an extra $2,500 or $3,000 bonus.
- December 3: Giving Tuesday Match – all gifts to any fund are matched dollar for dollar, up to $1,000. $100,000 total matching is available for all donors until the money runs out.
- Nov. 1 – Dec. 2: Participation Boosts – for every 25 unique donors who give $25 or more to a featured fund, that fund will get a $500 boost. $5,000 total matching is available for each fund until the money runs out.
Kent State Ashtabula’s campaign has once again received generous support from the Ashtabula Area College Committee to provide matching funds for this project. The campaign’s goal is to raise at least $10,000.
“We look forward to updating these spaces to welcome the next generations of Kent State campus members and partners,” Ayres said. “Through visuals, signage, and technology, we will re-envision these rooms for the increasingly connected post-COVID world. I hope you will join me in supporting this important and transformational opportunity for our campus.”
For more information, or to make your transformational Giving Tuesday gift, visit .