Comet Causes Take Center Stage for 9th Annual Giving Days

On April 9 and 10, supporters of The University of Texas at Dallas will join together during the ninth annual Comets Giving Days, a two-day effort to benefit organizations across the University.

“We’re embracing our giving era, and whether you’re a Taylor Swift fan or someone who loves celebrating Comets Giving Days impact stories, there’s something for everyone,” said Brennae Wright, senior director of alumni. “Every donation, no matter how big or small, will contribute to UT Dallas’ largest celebration of generosity.”

Representatives of many of the participating groups will officially kick off giving days at 10 a.m. April 9 with a breakfast in the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center. Activities celebrating the #InMyGivingEra theme will take place across campus throughout the effort, culminating with a free public concert featuring Taylor Swift tribute band Reputation at 5:30 p.m. April 10 in the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building Lecture Hall.

Launched in 2017, the annual tradition rallies thousands of students, alumni, employees, parents and corporate partners to support student groups, athletic teams, research labs, scholarship funds, academic programs, campus centers and community outreach efforts.

“As an alumnus I believe it’s always good to help the next generation, as UTD has given me the education that I needed to be better prepared in life,” Hendra Wijaya BS’03 said. “Plus, I have two kids that could be going to UTD in the future, like me, to get their education.”

In 2024, Comets Giving Days topped more than $1 million for the fifth consecutive year, and nearly 150 organizations received over 3,000 donations. More than 94% of those donations were $100 or less, and 14% of alumni donations for the year were made during the event. Organizations such as the Comet Cupboard, a campus food pantry for UTD students in need of assistance, consistently receive significant support during the event.

“The idea of a student hungry for knowledge but also hungry physically is unacceptable,” said Kathy Zolton, associate professor of practice in accounting in the Naveen Jindal School of Management. “If we can assist in satisfying a student’s basic needs, such as through the Comet Cupboard, that enables them to satisfy their hunger for knowledge. We are here for more than just giving a grade, but for development of the entire student.”

Matching gift opportunities and challenges will multiply the impact of individual donations. Specific challenges will open at various times, and supporters can view opportunities to extend their gift. Schools, centers and groups will compete for bonus funds based on donor participation. Supporters also can make an early gift on the website, and volunteers will accept donations on both days from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Margaret McDermott Trellis Plaza.

“Having worked at UTD for 13 years, I have seen the transformation of the campus, and I know that donating to Comets Giving Days puts support directly in the hands of the students,” said Jennifer Klunk, a Comets Giving Day supporter and a former senior undergraduate academic coordinator in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. “The students work at the speed of bright, and community support is key to that effort.”

All gifts made during Comets Giving Days contribute to the University’s ongoing New Dimensions: The Campaign for UT Dallas, an effort to raise $750 million for transformative opportunities for students, research and the arts on campus.