Doane alumni are the heart of our university. Find out what this comprehensive campaign means to their success.

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The Unparalleled Doane Experience

The Our Time to Lead comprehensive campaign is transforming lives at Doane University and beyond.

Progress Goal ($100M)

86%

Your Gifts Create Leaders

A Doane education is more than just four years—it’s a lifetime connection to a community that empowers, supports, and inspires. Our alumni are leaders, innovators, and changemakers who carry the values of Doane into their careers, communities, and beyond. The Our Time to Lead campaign ensures that future generations of Tigers will continue to experience the mentorship, academic excellence, and lifelong relationships that make Doane truly unique.

From the classrooms to career success, Doane alumni exemplify the power of a strong foundation. Their journeys showcase the impact of a Doane education and the generosity of those who give back.

Hear Our Alumni

Serving students is the purpose of Doane University. Hear from our Alumni about what the Doane experience meant to them and their appreciation for our donors.

Mary Rainforth Theiler ’90
Alumni Council Member

I am excited about the Our Time to Lead Campaign because it proves Doane is committed to a high level of academic success but is also working to impact communities outside of Doane’s campuses.

Caitie Leibman ’11
Alum and Former Faculty

My time working at Doane was so special. It felt like a privilege to meet students wherever they were, at any level of experience, no matter their interests. Those interactions in the office, classroom, and hallway were always the best part of the job.

Billy Garver ’11
Alum and Former Faculty

At larger institutions or institutions with high faculty turnover, you lack the ability to build relationships with people that can help you both in and outside of the classroom. Doane has faculty that, if given a job/project description, they would be able to name the students that would be best suited.

Doug Heller ’85
Former Alumni Council Member

I liked the smaller campus setting Doane offered as a student. Having gone to a Class A school here in Nebraska, having the student body size be less than half of my high school was an excellent opportunity to get to know members of my classes.

Riley V. Reyes ’24
Wichita, KS
Graphic Design Graduate

Thanks to the financial support of donors, I achieved a level of growth I would not have been able to reach outside of Doane, affording me life lessons in and beyond the classroom.

Sarah J. Theiler ’24
Arlington, NE
Health Sciences (pre-nursing) Graduate

Without donor support, I would never have been able to make the amazing memories I did while also getting a top-notch education!

Jeremey Allgeyer ’24
Owensboro, KY
Engineering graduate

I appreciate the numerous opportunities that helped me to reach the position I’m in today. Thanks to donors, I was able to think less about the financial burdens of higher education and apply myself in extracurriculars that changed the way I view the world.

Payton J.M. Cooley ’24
Omaha, NE
Elementary Education and
Special Education Graduate

I don’t know if a thank you is enough for all the love and support I have genuinely felt from our donors. I made the greatest, lasting memories at Doane University.

Blair R. Souchek ’24
Seward, NE
Social Science and
History Graduate

Because of the unwavering generosity of donors, I was incredibly involved at Doane, which, in turn, allowed me to fall in love with my now alma mater.

Zach A. Turner ’24
Crete, NE
Accounting and
Business Administration Graduate

I’m so thankful for the support of donors to Doane University. As a 2024 grad, it’s amazing to look back and see how my four years on campus transformed me into the person I am today.

Juan “Zack” I. Perez
Aurora, NE
Engineering, Math and
Data Analytics Graduate

With the support of so many donors, I was allowed to explore countless avenues of growth during my time at Doane. These opportunities have greatly impacted my academic, professional, and personal development.

Gifts Create Real Opportunities

Every contribution to the Our Time to Lead comprehensive campaign will be used to make real, tangible improvements in how we serve our students. The links below will help you learn more about the campaign’s opportunities.

Build Doane’s Academic Excellence

Investing in faculty and professional staff will help Doane attract, retain, and serve the best students.

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Enhance the Crete Campus Experience

Crucial updates are needed to our historic campus. We must add spaces for education and more.

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Non-Residential Experience Upgrade

Facility updates, technology improvements, scholarship offerings, and student support services are critical.

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Build a Technology Park

Build student’s experience with real-world application in engineering and business jobs from the community.

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Grow the University Endowment

Help fund the day-to-day operations critical to Doane achieving its mission, vision, purpose, and values.Help fund the day-to-day operations critical to Doane achieving its mission, vision, purpose, and values.

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Ready to Make an Impact?

Your support can transform the future of Doane University. Whether you’re interested in funding a scholarship, supporting a campus enhancement, or learning more about giving opportunities, our Advancement Office is here to help.

Contact us today to explore how you can be part of the Our Time to Lead campaign and leave a lasting legacy at Doane.
advancement@doane.edu
(402) 826-8258

Ways to Give Your Support

While financial contributions are beneficial, you can also support Doane University and the campaign in other ways. Discover which one fits best for you!

Donate Stocks and Securities

By gifting highly appreciated assets, you can support the Doane student experience while lessening your tax burden.

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Direct Support

If you would like to give in cash, with a card, through a check, or other types of direct money contributions, please use the link below to find instructions!

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Give Through a Donor Advised Fund

Using a donor advised fund to manage your charitable donations? You can use your fund to help Doane continue to build leaders and launch world-changing students.

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Build Your Legacy

Set up a planned or deferred gift from your estate and continue your legacy of support for the Doane University community.

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Engage Others

Inspire others to give by committing to a matching gift. With this kind of gift, your contribution can be magnified over and above what you’re able to personally give!

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Attend an Event

Help the campaign effort by joining a fundraising event! Join the Doane team to learn more about the Our Time to Lead campaign and how you can help us lead higher education into the future.

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Ready to help Doane lead by making your gift? Use our secure online giving platform below!

You may also email us or call us about your intended gift.

Together, we’ll help Doane lead the way and continue its more than 150-year tradition of academic excellence!

The Latest Campaign News

Stay up to date on all things Our Time to Give with the links to news articles below!

Doane's Health Center staff from L to R: Angela Brase, RN; Jody Yank, APRN; and Andreea Baker, Director of Health and Wellness Photo by Valerie Wissenburg

Doane Health Center Receives Upgrade

Doane University’s health center just got a major makeover, and it’s all about making student wellness easier and more accessible. With a full-time medical provider, Jody Yank, APRN, now on campus, students can get the care they need faster than ever. “Students can now receive faster access to care, be assessed, and have medications prescribed if necessary. This allows them to return to their academics and activities more quickly,” says Andreea Baker, Director of Health and Wellness.

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Students walking on path with covered pergola

Doane University Achieves Record-High Retention Rates, Demonstrating Commitment to Student Success

Doane University is celebrating a historic milestone with record-breaking retention rates for the 2024-25 academic year. The fall-to-spring retention rate for first-time, first-year students has reached an impressive 93.63%—the highest…

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Students Julie Sparks and Jessica O’Day pose for a photo during the student celebration of “One Day. One Doane.” hosted before the blizzard on Tuesday, March 18.

“One Day. One Doane.” a Success, Despite Weather Challenges

Doane University’s seventh annual “One Day. One Doane.” 24-hour giving event took place from March 19 to March 20, 2025.

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Nearly 700 orange ONE DOANE pennants are displayed in front of the large GO DOANE letters in Cassel Theatre, representing the success of this year’s One Day. One Doane.

A Battle of the Decades: One Day. One Doane. 2024

In its sixth annual appearance, One Day. One Doane. — Doane University’s extravagant 24-hour day of giving — a friendly “Battle of the Decades” competition helped bring 490 Tiger supporters together.

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Contributors like you make this wonderful news a reality! Make a gift today to help Doane continue our storied history of academic excellence.