This year U Giving Day 2022, the largest annual celebration of the University of Utah and our donor community, will be held on March 1-2. Over 90 projects from all over campus are participating to raise funds for student support, scholarships, research, health initiatives, arts, cultural programs and much more. One of these areas is the Student Emergency Fund.

The Student Emergency Fund provides crucial funding as students continue to face uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, the fund has provided 1,584 students with a  grand total of $1,169,484 to help fund critical needs like housing, transportation, food, child care and more. Kate Lunnen, a current student, received support at the beginning of the pandemic after losing her job.

“I’m a student who supports myself fully through my education and so losing out on work was really, really stressful for me. I didn’t know how I was going to support myself,” she said.

Lunnen decided to apply for emergency funding and was relieved when the application was fulfilled. “It made me proud to be a student at the U and to receive help from a college for the first time. I was just really excited, and it helped tide me over until I was able to find new employment,” she said. Receiving money from the Student Emergency Fund allowed Kate to continue her education in English and gender studies, and find a new position on campus. She has been involved with many departments across areas, including the LGBT Resource Center and the Student Philanthropy and Engagement Center.

“I want to thank everybody who has donated to the Student Emergency Support Fund. This fund has been incredibly beneficial for me. It’s kept me in school,” Lunnen said. “ It’s kept me passionate about my education. And I really appreciate all of your kindness and compassion. It really means a lot. Thank you.”

Interested in helping more students succeed? Support the Student Emergency Fund during U Giving Day 2022.