A student at the checkout counter in Rowdy's Corner
A student at the checkout counter in Rowdy's Corner

This fall, Roadrunners came together in a powerful show of support, turning Socktober and Roadrunner Tuesday into extraordinary celebrations of community and generosity that will transform the lives of MSU Denver students.

And while these giving events have ended, there are countless opportunities to make a difference in the lives of MSU Denver students. Consider making a year-end gift or contacting University Advancement at [email protected] to discover how you can make an impact on what matters most to you at MSU Denver.

Each gift, every amount, helps all Roadrunners Rise!

Socktober 2025

Roadrunners knocked our socks off by jumping feet-first into the seventh annual Socktober!

This year’s annual October giving event was an unprecedented “sock-cess,” with 530 members of the MSU Denver community coming together to raise $32,766 and donate over 1,300 pairs of socks to our students, bringing our seven-year total to more than $140,000 and 5,300+ socks donated. That’s over 50,000 toes covered since 2019!

Donors made gifts to a wide range of campus funds, including Rowdy’s Corner, which provides food and essentials to thousands of hungry MSU Denver students each month and distributes donated Socktober socks to Roadrunners like Samuel Simon.

“I was so excited to be able to get a pair of Socktober socks when I was visiting Rowdy’s Corner,” said Simon, a Computer Science major. “Every time I wear them, not only do I get to show off my Roadrunner pride, but I’m reminded of how much my community cares about me.” 

Thanks to our donors, MSU Denver students will have warm toes and hearts all winter long!

Roadrunner Tuesday infographic: $50,249 raise from 254 donors. Rowdy's Corner: 151 donors raised $38,275. Student Emergency Fund: 76 donors raised $6,028. DREAMer Emergency Fund: 55 donors raised $5,946. THANK YOU!

Roadrunner Tuesday 2025

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, over 254 members of the MSU Denver community joined forces to raise $50,246, making Roadrunner Tuesday an unequivocal success! Thanks to lead sponsor, Ent Credit Union, and other generous donors, more than $20,000 in matching funds were available – doubling the impact of each gift!

Donors directly improved MSU Denver students’ well-being by giving to three wraparound services: Rowdy’s Corner, where students can access food and personal wellness products in a stigma-free environment; and the Student Emergency and DREAMer Emergency funds, which provide students with stipends for housing, medical costs and other essential expenses.

  • Did you know? Student hunger is on the rise. This fall, Rowdy’s Corner experienced 7,300 transactions monthly and a 70% increase in student visits, serving an average of 1,700 unique students per month. Additionally, data shows that retention rates are higher (75%) for students who use the service compared with those who don’t (63%).
  • Did you know? Last year, the Student Emergency Fund and the DREAMer Emergency Fund distributed a combined $110,000+ in stipends to students, helping them face unexpected financial hardships that threatened to pause or end their academic journey.

These resources played a vital role during life’s toughest moments for the following MSU Denver students, who asked to remain anonymous.

“Rowdy’s Corner has been a godsend for me and my children, allowing me to keep my family fed while I’m earning my degree.”

“It’s not just the ability to apply for emergency funds [through the Student Emergency Fund] that is so helpful, but the support and resources you help students access. Without it, I genuinely could not have gotten by.”

“I wanted to say thank you again for your assistance with the DREAMer Emergency Fund; I don’t know what I would have done without your help, and I genuinely appreciate it!”

Every gift made on Roadrunner Tuesday equips Roadrunners with what they need to stay fed, housed, healthy and safe while pursuing their dream of earning a degree!