Inaugural Glow Big Red a success with more than 1,500 contributors

Glow Big Red—24 Hours of Husker Giving is in the history books as the newest Husker tradition.

More than 1,500 alumni and friends of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln united on Feb. 14 and 15 to make the first-ever Husker crowdfunding event a success.

Contributors from all 50 states of the county and representing three continents generously gave more than $164,000 during the 24-hour event to support all areas of UNL.

“Glow Big Red provided a great rallying point for Husker alumni, friends, and fans to gather together to not only help commemorate the 150th anniversary of the university but to also enrich the experience of our students and faculty, helping them achieve their dreams and improve the world around them,” said Brian Hastings, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation.  “Our benefactors validated, once again, that there truly is no place like Nebraska.”

Here’s a short video highlight of the event’s activities:

The event garnered tremendous social media activity with most of it captured using #GlowBigRed and #HuskersGive. An archive of much of this online communication is at huskersgive.unl.edu.

The launch of Glow Big Red coincided with weeklong events celebrating the 150th anniversary of the University of Nebraska.

Light it. Fly it. Wear it. Give it.

The event featured the theme: Light it. Fly it. Wear it. Give it.

LIGHT IT — Some 20 buildings on the UNL campus and downtown were lit in red, including the State Capitol, Memorial Stadium, Love Library and other iconic buildings. See some photos of these scenes. People were also encouraged to light up their homes in red, too.

FLY IT — Huskers flew their Nebraska flags as if it were game day.

WEAR IT — Husker fans near and far wore their favorite gear.

GIVE IT — More than 1,500 people made a gift during the event to help build on the university’s next 150 years of excellence at the dedicated site huskersgive.unl.edu.

Watch for upcoming information about the date for the 2020 Glow Big Red—24 Hours of Husker Giving event.

Most of the University of Nebraska’s peer institutions already have annual spirit and giving days or are planning them now. They have become an important tradition on many campuses across the country. Eventually, each campus of the University of Nebraska system will have its own, designated celebration day, too.