The extraordinary generosity of SAU’s alumni and friends led to this year’s seventh annual Giving Day becoming one for the books.

Generous Mulerider supporters provided a total of $199,626 during the event held Thursday, Sept. 16. A record-setting 219 gifts contributed to the day’s success, and donors included students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.

“Once again, our alumni and friends have shown their love and support for SAU in an incredible way,” said Dr. Trey Berry, president of SAU.

“Giving Day directly impacts student lives and the continued health of our University. We could not be more grateful to everyone who generously gave on this day.”

This year’s effort featured over $20,000 in matching funds provided through the generosity of board members and donors.

Giving Day was also part of the University Love and Loyalty Campaign, an effort that is in its final month, seeking to raise $22.275 million along with a goal of having 4,500 donors to the effort. For more information on the Love and Loyalty Campaign, please visit sauloveandloyalty.com or contact the Division of Advancement at 870-235-4078.

LOOK: Here are the best lake towns to live in

Many of the included towns jump out at the casual observer as popular summer-rental spots--the Ozarks' Branson, Missouri, or Arizona's Lake Havasu--it might surprise you to dive deeper into some quality-of-life offerings beyond the beach and vacation homes. You'll likely pick up some knowledge from a wide range of Americana: one of the last remaining 1950s-style drive-ins in the Midwest; a Florida town that started as a Civil War veteran retirement area; an island boasting some of the country's top public schools and wealth-earners right in the middle of a lake between Seattle and Bellevue; and even a California town containing much more than Johnny Cash's prison blues.

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