Forever Red is focused on creating a legacy of Red Pride, connecting students with alumni and enhancing the student experience.
This week, it will present “I Heart SV Week,” which features a variety of events that promote multiple objectives.
“The week has a number of different goals, but I would say the top of the list is education,” said Bryan Crainer, the associate dean for Student Life and Leadership and Forever Red advisor. “Forever Red strives to educate the campus community on the importance of philanthropy, specifically giving back to SVSU.”
“I Heart SV Week” is designed to show the importance of donors to the university’s funding.
The week’s Kickoff Event will take place today outside of the Marketplace at Doan. Here, students and faculty can return the change collected in the Forever Red coin banks as well as learn some information about donors.
Furthermore, between 11 a.m. and 2 a.m., Buffalo Wild Wings will donate 20 percent of each purchase to Forever Red upon presentation of a Forever Red flier. Fliers are available on the Forever Red bulletin board outside the Marketplace at Doan.
The Kickoff Event is followed by Tye Pride on Tuesday, Jan 14.
Forever Red has collaborated with Pinterest with Program Board for the event, which takes place from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. in the Student Life Center. Free of charge, students can create different crafts, including felt pennants, which are aimed to inspire Red Pride.
On Wednesday, Jan. 15, the 5 Under 5 Alumni Panel will be held in the Student Life Programming Room from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. The 5 Under 5 Panel provides current students with a unique opportunity to interact with five recent SVSU graduates.
“They have all graduated within the past five years, so they remember what it is like to be a student and what the transitions are like,” said Forever Red co-Vice President Heather Harvey. “Also, there is one panelist representing each academic college. It is great to be able to have an open discussion with alums who have lived what we are currently going through.”
From 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, students can participate in SVSU’s version of Jeopardy, which will be hosted by Brady Duke, a third-year business management major and Forever Red closed member. Categories include “FUNdraising,” “Are You Smarter Than a 100 Level Class?” and many others.
Teams of four will compete against each other in an effort to win four $25 gift cards to a destination of the winners’ choice. The cost to enter the game is $40 per team, and registration will be accepted until Thursday.
To register, teams can email svsufr (at) svsu.edu. The event is open to all, and door prizes will be raffled off.
“I’m really excited about the game night on Thursday,” said Jessica McCullen, a member of the “I Heart SV Week” planning committee. “The (committee) worked hard to compile a great list of Jeopardy questions and learned a lot about SVSU in the process.”
I Heart SV Week concludes with two sports-filled nights.
Friday, members of the SVSU community can attend a Saginaw Spirit hockey game. Forever Red members will continue to sell tickets and “I Heart SV Week” t-shirts throughout the week, and the proceeds from ticket purchases funnel into the Forever Red scholarship.
Prior to the game, four Forever Red members will be selling merchandise in the lobby of The Dow Event Center. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m., and the game also serves as Teacher Appreciation Night.
Saturday Feb. 18, students are encouraged to cheer on both the men’s and women’s basketball teams as they face Northwood University. The women’s game begins at 4 p.m., and the men’s game will follow at 6 p.m. Forever Red will sell merchandise at the event as well.
While I Heart SV Week is focused on educating the SVSU community about the importance of giving back to the university, a secondary purpose is to raise money for the Forever Red Scholarship.
“The proceeds from ‘I Heart SV Week’ and every other Forever Red fundraiser support the Forever Red Scholarship,” Crainer said. “All current SVSU students are eligible for this scholarship, and it can be found online.”
Overall, I Heart SV Week will have many opportunities for students and other members of the SVSU community to learn about giving back, while participating in fun, Red Pride-filled events.
“It’s important to have an event like this because many students aren’t aware of how they can give back to SVSU,” McCullen said. “‘I Heart SV Week’ is a great opportunity to educate students and to reach out and extend our gratitude to our generous donors.”
