![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/files\/2013\/05\/E_1300514_Bobcat_ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½_Fund_0661web.jpg\")
<\/a>The Bobcat takes a break after May 15’s “It’s a Great Day to Be a Bobcat” campaign, when ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ sought 555 additional alumni donors to the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Fund in one day. Photo by Phyllis Graber Jensen\/ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College<\/p><\/div>\n
The college sought 555 additional alumni donors to the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Fund in one day, part of the ongoing campaign to reach 55 percent alumni participation by the close of the giving year on June 30.<\/p>\n
Alumni easily exceeded the goal with 599 total gifts, bringing their total ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Fund participation thus far to 37 percent, a three-point increase in one day.<\/p>\n
The slogan \u201cIt\u2019s a great day to be a Bobcat\u201d comes from former football coach Web Harrison \u201963, who adapted the cheer from his days as a U.S. Marine \u2014 \u201cIt\u2019s a great day to be a Marine!\u201d<\/p>\n
Today it is used to observe any successful ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ endeavor.<\/p>\n
The Wednesday event, dubbed \u201cIt\u2019s a Great Day to Be a Bobcat!,\u201d celebrated alumni pride while also raising awareness about ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Fund giving, which supports faculty salaries and student financial aid, among other programs.<\/p>\n
The May 15 challenge came on the heels of several recent ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Fund successes. This spring, young alumni secured ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½\u2019 first March Mania victory, defeating Colby, Connecticut College and Trinity in a competition to see which college could garner the most gifts to their annual funds from their 10 youngest class years.<\/p>\n
Last year, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ alumni achieved a record-breaking 55 percent participation and earned an extra $500,000 for the college.<\/p>\n
Alumni had until midnight on May 15 to make their gifts and be counted in the challenge.<\/p>\n