The first annual LakersDay celebrates what we love most about belonging to the Roosevelt University community.
LakersDay is an opportunity to celebrate the students, faculty and staff who shaped what Roosevelt means to you. The campus community will come together to share our gratitude for everyone who found ways to give — a helping hand, a scholarship, a shoulder to cry on or a second chance.
This day of celebration will raise funds for 11 initiatives with an immediate impact on student success. All of the initiatives are 100% funded by alumni and friends of the University. And because of generous sponsors, more than $50,000 in matching gift opportunities are available.
Maria Rivera is a finance honors student and a member of the first cohort of Deutsch Herczeg Women Leaders, two programs backed by LakersDay.
“When I first transferred to Roosevelt in 2020, it was difficult, not only because of the pandemic, but also because I was in a totally new environment,” she said. “I feel so fortunate to be recognized with this prestigious scholarship.”
Each year, four out of five Roosevelt students receive a University scholarship or grant, many funded by our generous donors.
“We hope LakersDay will show the entire Roosevelt community the impact of giving back," said Jared Fritz-McCarty, director of development and strategic fundraising. "Over the past three years, donors have contributed more than $15 million in support of scholarships, student support programming and day-to-day operations. LakersDay is our way of building upon this success.”
See all 11 LakersDay initiatives:
- University Priorities: Support the day-to-day operations, initiatives and people that directly impact our students’ education with a gift to the Annual Fund.
- Athletics Fund for Excellence: Cheer on the Lakers and make a difference for our student-athletes.
- Center for Arts Leadership: Empower students in music, theatre and dance to excel as artists and professionals — utilizing the arts to inspire social change.
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Expand Roosevelt’s DEI initiatives designed to make our community more equitable.
- Finance Honors Program: Promote the advancement of women, underrepresented groups and first-generation college students in the profession of finance.
- Future Educators Grant: Support the educators of tomorrow, and help cover required certification exam fees.
- Joan Deutsch Herczeg Women Scholars: Promote real solutions to gender inequities through education, mentorship and leadership programming. Prepare the Women leaders of tomorrow.
- Mansfield Fellowship for Activism & Community Engagement: Empower students to become socially conscious leaders and activists. Provide students with paid internships with Chicago-based community organizations.
- Research & Career Development Grants in Science, Health & Pharmacy: Prepare students to excel in the fields of science, health and pharmacy with funding for research and career development opportunities.
- Scholarships & Grants: Give the gift of opportunity. Provide scholarships and grants to students displaying significant financial need, helping make their educational dreams a reality.
- STEM Center: Enhance academic and career opportunities for Latinx and low-income students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.