Maverick Supporters to Unite During 2025 Wear Black, Give Back

Highlights

• The 2025 Wear Black, Give Back, UNO’s 24-hour giving day, will begin at noon Oct. 8 and conclude at noon Oct. 9.  

• The Wear Black, Give Back festival will be held at the Henningson Memorial Campanile on the UNO campus from 11:30 A.M. to 1 P.M. Oct. 8.

• The sixth annual giving day will bring together the UNO community and its supporters to reach a target of 6,500 gifts for scholarships, UNO colleges and programs, student programming and opportunities and more.  

• Learn more about Wear Black, Give Back, donate in advance or during the event, and track the event’s progress at givingday.unomaha.edu. 

• Want to participate in Wear Black, Give Back? Add this event to you calendar.

Braidy Caroline Parrill has always had an interest in computers and technology, which led her to major in cybersecurity at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. But, like many students, she needed to figure out how to pay for higher education.

For Parrill, a junior from Louisville, Nebraska, the Opportunity and Access Scholarship (OASIS) for IT Students eased financial stress while allowing Parrill to focus on her studies.

The scholarship, which provides assistance to students in the College of Information Science & Technology, is one of the many UNO causes donors can support during the 2025 Wear Black, Give Back. The 24-hour day of giving will begin at noon Oct. 8 and conclude at noon Oct. 9.

Parrill said she hopes to work in the private sector as a systems analyst or project manager after she graduates. She’s thankful to the donors who invested in her future.

“It’s hard to describe just how much of an impact a scholarship can make,” she said. “It takes such a weight off your back and shows how much the donors believe in you and that you can make a difference.”

UNO’s sixth annual giving day will bring together Maverick supporters to provide resources for student scholarships, UNO colleges and programs, Omaha Athletics, research and creative activities, and community service.

Numerous challenges and matches have been established to encourage others to give, with those gifts only unlocked if certain giving goals are achieved. For example, the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences has several challenges to support scholarships and the teacher education program. Two out of three educators in the Omaha metropolitan area hold a degree from UNO.

“Gifts made during Wear Black, Give Back aren’t just acts of generosity,” said UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA. “They’re investments in Nebraska’s future workforce. These scholarships open doors for talented students to thrive, contribute and lead. That’s how we change lives and build a stronger Nebraska.”

An economic impact study commissioned by the UNO Alumni Association found that UNO has more than 79,000 alumni living in the Omaha metro area, providing $2.4 billion in total economic impact in 2024.

The goal for this year’s Wear Black, Give Back is to receive 6,500 gifts from supporters. Any donor who gives $75 or more will receive a bonus UNO belt bag.

Another area donors can support is the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras, which joined the UNO School of Music in July 2024. Established in 1958, the organization provides instruction and performance opportunities for student musicians ages 8 to 18. Learn more about Wear Black, Give Back and areas to support at givingday.unomaha.edu. 

In 2024, 6,242 gifts were made during Wear Black, Give Back to raise a record-setting $907,396.

Campus Events

The following events will be held to celebrate the 2025 Wear Black, Give Back:

• The Wear Black, Give Back festival, with food, games and entertainment, will be from 11:30 A.M. to 1 P.M. Oct. 8 around the UNO Henningson Memorial Campanile.

• A livestream featuring UNO broadcasting students will begin at 11:30 A.M. Oct. 8 in the UNO TV studio. The livestream can be viewed on the Wear Black, Give Back website. Mav Radio and KVNO will also provide updates throughout the giving day.