There’s a lot to celebrate as AU’s Change Can’t Wait campaign closes in on its $500 million goal. More than 160 scholarships have been created or expanded, four centers and institutes have been established or named, eight new endowed faculty positions have been created, and $34 million has been raised for capital projects that support student thriving.  

But these numbers don’t tell the full story. From the start, Change Can’t Wait has been fueled by tens of thousands of alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, and friends. Meet some of the donors whose generosity proves that every gift makes change possible.  

Most Gifts to Athletics (118 and Counting)

“We’ve always felt a connection to AU, its campus, and college athletics. It is where we met, made lasting friendships, and fulfilled dreams as student-athletes in golf and swimming. We remain committed to ensuring that student-athletes at AU have the resources they need to perform at the highest level.”

—Jaimie Servidio, CAS/BA ’05, and Paul Servidio, CAS/BS ’04

1,700th Student Donor

“The Market [AU’s food pantry] matters a lot to students. It is a great resource for international students like me. I made a promise to myself to give back regularly one day—and I know a few others who have as well.”

—Sarthak Jain, Kogod/MS ’23, MS ’24

Most Gifts to the AU Fund for Student Support (27 and Counting)

“Giving monthly makes it easy for me to give my best annual gift. Giving to this fund allows students to take advantage of all AU has to offer, never worrying that sudden changes in their financial means will be a barrier to their goals.”

—Sandra Walter, Kogod/BS ’86

Most Gifts to the Black Alumni Alliance Book Award (34 and Counting)

“I have nothing but love for AU and will continue to give for as long as I live. Knowing that my investments help improve the student experience is what drives me to give.”

—G. Tony Bell, SIS/BA ’88

8,000th Faculty/Staff Donor

“My son loved participating in DC Math Circle, run by AU’s mathematics faculty for third through eighth graders. I am so appreciative of the faculty’s time and wanted to support their work to advance my son’s skills and excitement for the subject.” 

—Jason Arnold, CAS professorial lecturer and director, theatre/musical theatre program

Gift That Activated the Latino Alumni Alliance Book Award Endowment

“We knew AU was going to be a great fit for our son from the moment we dropped him off on campus. As Eagle parents, we became members of the Parent Leadership Council, where we sought out opportunities to support students of color, something we are particularly drawn to in our philanthropy.”

—Mark and Sara Eversden, parents of Andrew Eversden, SOC/BA ’19

15,000th Campaign Donor

“AU was a great fit for me. I attended nearly all the home basketball games, played ultimate Frisbee for the men’s club team, found unique places to study on campus, minored in Arabic, and studied abroad in Jordan. I like that I’m supporting the student experience, which really matters.” 

—Nathaniel Gath, SIS/BA ’16

Most Gifts from a Triple Eagle (22 and Counting)

“I felt welcomed in so many ways [at AU]. The faculty and staff helped nurture me as a budding psychologist, and I was a recipient of scholarships. It makes me happy to know that we can help a little bit in providing that to others.”

—Sara Nieves-Grafals, CAS/BS ’75, MA ’79, PhD ’80, and Al Getz

Single Finish Line, Multiple Rewards

What would AU be like without Change Can’t Wait? 

That’s the question the student-run Finish Line Committee is posing to their fellow Eagles to help them understand the campaign’s real-time impact and inspire philanthropy that will help AU cross the $500 million finish line later this year. 

The committee, chaired by AU Student Government president Edwin Santos, SPA/BA ’24, MPA ’25, and student trustee Jehane Djedjro, SIS/BA ’24, (pictured above) is part of the Finish Line Initiative and aims to inspire the whole AU community to get involved with the campaign. To raise the stakes and magnify impact, an anonymous donor has committed $1 million to challenge students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to make a gift before the campaign ends. 

AU trustee and campaign committee cochair Jeff Sine, SIS/BA ’76, first issued the charge to the committee because he believes AU students can not only play a role in Change Can’t Wait but also are key to strengthening an enduring culture of philanthropy on campus beyond the campaign.

Santos and Djedjro have the support of their committee members—students from across AU’s schools and colleges—and the mentorship of the Office of Annual Giving.  

“Our student body takes action on issues we are passionate about. We are high achievers, helping to drive change,” Santos says.

Even still, says Djedjro, “Students hear $500 million and don’t realize what that means or understand where the money is going. That’s where we come in.” 

“Watching committee members speak passionately with their peers about the campaign is incredibly rewarding,” says former assistant director of annual giving Brian Meyer. “They are growing professionally by learning—and educating others on—how essential philanthropy is to our university.” 

In this high-stakes year, the committee is meeting students where they are—online and on campus—with a compelling call to action and a visible presence at events. They showcase how Change Can’t Wait is already fueling change by reminding their peers that without the campaign, they or a friend might not be at AU because they didn’t receive scholarship support. Or that the Sine Institute of Policy and Politics and the forthcoming Student Thriving Complex, which includes renovations to Mary Graydon Center, wouldn’t exist. This strategy is building interest and enthusiasm, turning students into engaged donors.

“The Finish Line Committee is inspiring. They’re connecting students with Change Can’t Wait to create lasting change and advance the culture of philanthropy at AU,” Sine says. “I’m proud to see the next generation of alumni be a part of this campaign’s impact. The next step is to get the broader AU community involved to propel our campaign across the finish line.”

Your Impact

There is still time to join the more than 23,000 alumni, 8,600 active and former faculty and staff, and 1,7000 students who have donated to the campaign. Gifts from our community of 150,000 alumni will be matched by an anonymous donor up to $150,000 for the AU Fund for Excellence. Make a gift of any amount at giving.american.edu to help us cross the finish line, but hurry—change can’t wait.