42 Hours Later 1,025 Donors Give $528,299 to FDU Students
For the eighth consecutive year, the Fairleigh Dickinson University community united around the world on October 22–23 for 42 Hours of Giving.
In honor of the University’s founding in 1942, FDU annually dedicates 42 hours to bringing awareness and support to various campus causes and programs across the University.
This year, more than 1,025 donors raised a total of $528,299, supporting 65 different causes that benefit FDU students. From initiatives such as The Fund for FDU, which allows the University to quickly respond to student needs, to student scholarships, academics, student services, and FDU’s 34 Division I and Division III athletic programs—donors supported the causes that meant the most to them.
Nina Shirey, MSM’21, the first supporter for 42 Hours of Giving 2025 noted, “I wanted to give back to [the Devils Women’s Lacrosse team], the program that shaped me. My time at FDU gave me a true sense of community and helped me figure out who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do. I built so many meaningful, lasting connections as a student-athlete, and the support system around me guided me toward a career I love—one I wouldn’t have found without those experiences,”
This year’s 42 Hours of Giving was propelled by several donors who challenged the FDU community to rally behind its students. Dr. Stephen Klasko, former President of Thomas Jefferson University and CEO of Jefferson Health—who received an honorary doctorate from FDU in 2024—led this year’s campaign with a $200,000 challenge. If 1,000 donors participated in 42 Hours of Giving, it would unlock a $200,000 gift from Dr. Klasko to establish the Klasko Innovation Humanics Challenge Fund, which supports the next generation of leaders driving interdisciplinary collaborations that reimagine education, technology, and the human component in an AI-driven world.
Alumna Ann Schwartz and her family—longtime supporters of the Center for Dyslexia Studies—generously presented a $37,000 challenge to benefit the Center for Dyslexia Studies and the Student Emergency Funds on the Florham and Metropolitan campuses.
Corporate partner Veolia North America, dedicated to inspiring and empowering the next generation of engineers, scientists, and environmental leaders at FDU, offered a matching gift challenge: for every dollar donated to student scholarships, the company matched the contribution up to $15,000 to support STEM scholarships.
A U.S. Army veteran from the Class of 1983 offered a dollar-for-dollar match up to $4,000 for Veterans Services at FDU. Rounding out the giving day challenges, members of the Alumni Association Board of Governors challenged the FDU alumni community to rally 250 donors to unlock $25,000—a goal the alumni community surpassed, with nearly 400 alumni donors participating in 42 Hours of Giving.
“These challenges reflect what makes FDU extraordinary – a community where belief becomes action and generosity becomes transformation,” said President Michael J. Avaltroni.
Each year, the outpouring of support for 42 Hours of Giving showcases the strength and spirit of the FDU community. Since its inception in 2018, 42 Hours of Giving has raised $2.5 million for FDU students.
For questions about 42 Hours of Giving contact University Advancement at [email protected] or call us at (201) 692-7007. You can also visit us online at https://support.fdu.edu/42hours.