Meredith Jeffers climbing a route on Day of Giving with Martina Felderman belaying below
Meredith Jeffers climbing a route on Day of Giving with Martina Felderman belaying below

In the early hours of Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Day of Giving on March 19, Meredith Jeffers, Ph.D., executive director of University Strategy, and Martina Felderman, Ph.D., executive leadership coach and founder of Leadership Ascent, arrived at Movement Golden to take on the MSU Denver Vertical Mile Climb Challenge.   

Inspired by the ‘Rise to the Future’ theme, Jeffers challenged herself and Felderman to each climb a vertical mile (5,280 feet) in a single day, raising $11,177 for the Roadrunner Grant, a decade-long program providing one-time assistance to MSU Denver students facing unexpected financial holds that prevent them from registering for the next semester. 

“As a longtime faculty member (turned administrator), it’s really important to me that students who have made it so far get that extra support to ultimately make it to the finish line and cross the stage at Commencement,” said Jeffers. 

Thanks to the generosity of 1,923 donors making 2,237 gifts to more than 120 projects, the tenth annual giving event raised a record-breaking $449,271.  

Across a decade of Day of Giving, donors have made 12,064 gifts, raising an astounding $2.1 million to support MSU Denver students and programs. 

The impact of these gifts cannot be understated. According to Matt Kring, director of college completion and success initiatives, funding raised for the Roadrunner Grant by the climbing challenge’s “fun, inspiring hook” will allow “dozens of students to continue with their education and graduate, adding to the decade of success for this grant initiative.” 

Jeffers is grateful and proud that many former students, including those who were recipients of the grant, made gifts to the climbing challenge. “That’s what this school and this community are all about to me – everyone working together to contribute the best they can toward helping our students be successful.” 

Our Roadrunner community has ensured MSU Denver students will have the resources to achieve their dream of earning a degree and chart a course to a brighter tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who has empowered Roadrunners to ‘Rise to the Future!’ 

Contact Bre Milnes, executive director of Advancement Communications and Annual Giving, for more information.