DECATUR, Ill. – Each spring, Â鶹ԼÅÄ University’s students, alumni, friends, faculty and staff celebrate the University’s founding when James Â鶹ԼÅÄ gifted 35 acres of land, plus $200,000 to build the institution, on April 30, 1901.
During the founding, James Â鶹ԼÅÄ also challenged members of the Decatur community and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to match his financial support, which they did. That tradition continues today in the True Blue Challenge, the yearly giving celebration that supports the areas of greatest need across campus.
The April 2023 True Blue Challenge was a great success, raising $287,794.50 to support Â鶹ԼÅÄ’s student scholarships. The University is forever thankful for our alumni, friends, faculty, staff and community who gave generously to help Â鶹ԼÅÄ students succeed.
To celebrate the 122nd anniversary of the founding, Â鶹ԼÅÄ President Jim Reynolds spoke at James Â鶹ԼÅÄ’s mausoleum at Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur and the Â鶹ԼÅÄ University Quartet was on hand for a performance. At the University Commons, actors portraying James and Anna Â鶹ԼÅÄ handed out Del’s Popcorn and the University Choir sang the University’s Alma Mater.
The True Blue Challenge makes a meaningful difference for today’s students as the alumni and community members continue their support of the generous legacy that is uniquely Â鶹ԼÅÄ. You can still give to the True Blue Challenge today by visiting millikin.edu/trueblue for more details.
