WVU Day of Giving provides opportunity to advance School of Dentistry mission

The West Virginia University community will come together on March 25 for its annual Day of Giving, a 24-hour fundraising effort organized by the WVU Foundation. Supporters of the WVU School of Dentistry are encouraged to participate in the event to help advance the mission of the state’s only dental school to provide excellence in education and patient care.

In appreciation of donors’ support and the important role they play in making a difference, 50 gifts of $50 or more to any School fund will unlock a $10,000 donation from Dr. Stephen Pachuta, alumnus and dean, for the School of Dentistry General Scholarship Fund.

Impact greatest needs

Alumni and friends of the school can support initiatives on WVU Day of Giving based on their personal interests, whether they’re passionate about bolstering student scholarships or faculty retention or want to make their mark on the School’s expansion and renovation project. To help donors find their fit, the funds listed below highlight the greatest needs.

• School of Dentistry General Scholarship Fund (Fund #2S123): Students are following their purpose to serve others and improve well-being through oral health, but the increased cost of education is becoming a barrier for many wishing to enter the field of dentistry.
• Facilities Fund (Fund #2W686): The next generation of dentists and dental hygienists will be trained in radically modernized facilities at the WVU School of Dentistry through an extensive expansion and renovation project.
• Dental Century Fund (Fund #2U045): The Dental Century Fund, or the Dean’s Fund, offers the flexibility needed to support all areas of the school based on pressing needs.

Participate in social challenges

Social media challenges posed by the WVU Foundation provide the opportunity for supporters to earn extra funding for their area of choice. The school has been challenge winners in the past, and the challenges below were selected as opportunities to help put the School of Dentistry on top again.

• WVU Gear Photo Challenge (March 25, All Day): Post a picture of yourself, your kids or your pets in WVU gear. Three winners showing their school pride in the most creative ways will earn $500 each for the tagged unit.
• “Country Roads” Challenge (March 25, All Day): Record and post a video of yourself singing or performing “Country Roads.” Three winners with creative renditions will earn $500 each for the tagged unit.

Participate by tagging the WVU School of Dentistry on Facebook (@WVUDentalSchool), Instagram (@wvuschoolofdentistry) and X/Twitter (@WVUDentalSchool) and using #WVUDayofGiving in the post text. To be eligible, users must make sure their privacy settings for the post are set to public.

Get assistance

Alumni and friends of the School of Dentistry who have questions about WVU Day of Giving or other giving opportunities should contact Director of Development Dee O’Palko at dopalko@wvuf.org or 304-413-5049 (call or text) to learn more.

Visit dayofgiving.wvu.edu/dentistry to give on March 25.

-WVU-

jw/3/5/26

CONTACT: Jessica Wilmoth
Director of Marketing and Communications
WVU School of Dentistry | WVU Dental