WVU Potomac State College will celebrate the annual Day of Giving on March 25. The event is not just a day for charitable donors to bestow recognized and grateful gifts upon the College; it’s also a day set aside to reaffirm the College’s commitment to the community. The day affords the community an opportunity to become reacquainted with Potomac State and to learn about programs offered on campus, both educational and extracurricular. It is a day reserved for students, staff, administration, and faculty to represent the campus and for members of the public to become exposed to programs many might not be aware are offered here.
“WVU Potomac State College is celebrating our 125th anniversary this year. We certainly could not have reached this milestone without your continued support,” said Potomac State College President Jerry Wallace. “We are committed to meeting students where they are and helping them to achieve their goals. By combining the personal scale of a small college with the resources of a major research university, WVU Potomac State College not only expands educational opportunity but also strengthens the economic and social fabric of eastern West Virginia, helping the region retain talent, attract investment, and sustain thriving communities. “
The focus of this year’s Day of Giving centers on three key priorities that are transforming the lives of our students and the future of Potomac State College, said Dr. Wallace.
“Our Student Access Scholarship Fund transforms lives by making education accessible for generations to come. The General Athletics Fund empowers our teams with the resources they need to compete and succeed,” he said. “And our Farm Facilities and Agricultural Capital Campaign ensures our students are provided with the facilities and equipment they need to learn, innovate, and succeed in modern agriculture.”
Sabrina Cave, president of the WVU PSC Alumni Association, said the Day of Giving is the perfect period for alumni to reflect on the impact the College has made on their careers and their lives.
“All alumni know that WVU Potomac State College holds a special place in our hearts,” she said. “Memories of friends, faculty, and time spent on campus flood our thoughts. For many, like me, this is where we started our higher education journey. I will forever be thankful for that.”
Cave said the annual Day of Giving provides a unique opportunity for donors to visibly see how their donations are spent.
Sabrina Cave shares the importance of alumni supporting Day of Giving
“For one day – 24 hours – alumni have a chance to make a difference in the lives of current and future students,” she said. “We can transform lives by making education accessible for generations to come. We can empower our students with the facilities they need to learn, innovate, and succeed.”
Those who attend the event can also speak with student ambassadors who will share their success stories and impressions of the campus with those who might want to support the College with a donation or ongoing gift.
Students like Mikayla Gillastie, for instance. Gillastie grew up in nearby Burlington, WV. She thought she was familiar with the campus until she started attending and then learned there was more to it than meets the eye.
Catamount Chat with Makayla Gillastie and Dr. Jerry Wallace
“The teachers and staff here want to see you succeed,” she said. “They want you to do the very best you can. The campus is very encouraging, and they push you to succeed and bring out the best version of you.”
Bailey Jarrett is a nursing major at Potomac State. She said after touring the campus, she knew instinctively this was where she wanted to attend.
Catamount Chat with Bailey Jarrett and Dr. Jerry Wallace
“You get the experiences here not just from the campus but from the community,” she said. “I love how beautiful the campus is and how involved the community is.”
Levi Ferster is a sustainable agricultural entrepreneurship major at Potomac State College. He said he chose PSC because of its reputation for agricultural training and its hands-on farming experience and lab work.
Catamount Chat with Levi Ferster and Dr. Jerry Wallace
“Potomac State College is very approachable in ways that many people don’t understand,” he said, adding that an event like Day of Giving affords people the chance to get to know the college and the campus better. “It feels like home.”
PSC Athletic Director Mandi Larkin said a gift from the public can be stretched in many different ways among the areas that need it.
“We need donations for travel, for gear, for equipment, for scholarships,” she said. “There are so many opportunities, and what I love is that donors can choose to give to an area that is passionate for them. “
Student athletes share how Day of Giving supports their teams
Student Teagan Huff runs on the PSC cross country team. She said gifts to the athletic department are felt by student athletes every time they compete.
“Donor support helped with our trip to Nashville to compete in the finals last year,” she said. “We wouldn’t have been able to do that without community help.”
Jake Compton is a pitcher on the men’s baseball team.
“Donor support is very important,” he said. “It allows us in athletics to have opportunities, whether it’s travel, getting new facilities, or getting new uniforms or equipment. It gives us the supplies we need to compete.”
Kenna Jeffreys is a former student at Potomac State College who now works in the Student Life Department.
“It’s very important to give back to Potomac State because Potomac State has given so much to us, helping us get our degrees and putting us out there for opportunities,” she said. “Giving back is the least we can do.”
Dr. Wallace said the Day of Giving is a fundraising event at its core, but it is more than that by design. He said it’s a day for the public and those wishing to continue supporting the College to see the difference those donations make up close and personal.
“Education has the power to change lives, and your generosity helps make sure that our students will not face unnecessary hardships in pursuing their life’s passions. However you choose to contribute, you are making a real impact in real time and in the lives of real students,” said Wallace. “With your kind contribution, Potomac State College is able to enhance opportunities and enrich our entire community. With your help, we are preparing students to thrive in today’s evolving workforce while solidifying our college’s reputation as a leader in education.
The Day of Giving at WVU Potomac State College is March 25. A public event will be held at the Student Union from 8 a.m. until noon, featuring refreshments and giveaways. The Potomac State College mascot, PAWS, and the “unofficial” mascot of the agricultural program, Kevin the Goat, will be available for photos. Student ambassadors will also be available at that time for conversations, questions, comments, and even for informal tours of the campus as needed.