Wheaton News

Alumni band together to make a difference

More than 3,000 alumni, parents and friends of Wheaton contributed $24.4 million to the college during the 2024–25 fiscal year, which ended on June 30, 2025. It marked the second highest total in the college’s history.

More than $3.5 million of the total was received as annual fund gifts, providing immediate support to the college’s greatest areas of need—such as the Critical Retention Scholarship Fund, Athletics, Experiential Learning and Financial Aid.

When other forms of participation are included more than 4,600 individuals contributed to Wheaton, as class officers, guest speakers, Reunion organizers, donors, leadership fundraising volunteers, Giving Day ambassadors, mentors and job and internship providers.

“Thank you for your continued support of our mission, our students, our faculty and our campus community,” said Merritt Crowley, vice president for Advancement. “Your engagement helps launch academic programs, expand career exploration and strengthen a unique education and experience. Wheaton’s strength comes from our shared sense of purpose in continuing to grow and evolve as an institution.”

The college has expanded educational and athletic opportunities over the past few years, while reducing expenses and reinforcing its financial foundation. The addition of new majors, 4+1 Master’s programs, the Life and Career Design Institute and five varsity teams has coincided with a renewed focus on connection and engagement through our All Together Now effort.

“Whether mentoring students, serving as a guest speaker or a volunteer, providing internship, externship or job opportunities, or supporting institutional priorities, each contribution impacts Wheaton’s success,” Crowley said.

A portion of the year’s giving came in just two days—a pair of 24-hour giving events that attracted widespread participation.

On April 22, Wheaton’s annual Day of Giving raised more than $150,000. The gifts will enable more students to attend the college, and some 220 students will benefit from the Critical Retention Scholarship Fund, ensuring the resources necessary to continue their education and pursue their goals.

This investment helps to provide scholarships, hands-on learning experiences and critical support to empower students to thrive.

In February when the college held its first Athletic Day of Donors, more than 400 alumni, faculty, staff and current students contributed $65,000. The funds will address needs across Wheaton’s athletic programs, including equipment, player nutrition, recruiting, travel and technology enhancements.

“Being part of the Lyons community was the highlight of my Wheaton experience,” said Lydia Regan ’17, who served as one of 25 alumni athletic ambassadors promoting the campaign to fellow athletes. “Supporting the Athletic Day of Donors was an easy choice because I want future generations of Wheaton athletes to have the same incredible opportunities to grow, compete and build lasting connections.”

The final push of this year’s effort occurred in June, as some of the college’s most devoted supporters provided a dollar-to-dollar match of up to $300,000 in donations during the month-long All Together Now challenge. Five hundred donors contributed $831,000 to answer the call to invest in Wheaton’s future.

This fundraising is all the more extraordinary and a testament to the faith in Wheaton College as an institution. Like many institutions in Massachusetts and beyond, Wheaton faces external pressures, including federal changes to financial aid, loss of grant funding, barriers to student visas, more families facing financial hardship and increased state support for students attending public universities.

In this context, Wheaton has been improving efficiencies across its operations, reducing expenses, and implementing changes to ensure that the college continues to thrive and remain academically excellent. These efforts when combined with donor philanthropy directly improve the Wheaton experience and illustrate its capacity to respond in ways that enhance the college’s mission of preparing students for abundant lives and evolving careers.