School of Music wins two challenges in 2025 One Day One KU
One Day One KU elevates student experiences by expanding scholarships and access to music education.
The KU School of Music reached a philanthropic crescendo on the eighth annual One Day One KU, earning two challenge awards during the 24-hour giving event in February 2025 that are enhancing student opportunities in the school. The school received 191 gifts in real time on One Day One KU, putting it in the top 10 for the Participation Challenge and snagging a $6,000 bonus.
The school also saw a 217% increase in gifts over last year, elevating it to the top spot for Meet the Challenge funds and capturing an additional $10,000. In total, the School of Music raised over $32,000. Paul Popiel, dean of the School of Music, said the students will benefit from the resources, which will go toward scholarships, masterclasses with distinguished artists and much-needed upgrades to practice and community spaces.
By investing in these areas, the school aims to enhance the educational experience and ensure students have the tools to excel. "This support represents a pivotal shift from previous years, allowing us to take bolder steps in supporting our students," Popiel said. "With these funds, we can provide experiences and resources that were beyond reach, making our programs even more competitive and enriching."
The challenge funds help strengthen the school's commitment to fostering artistic excellence and accessibility in music education. It will fuel expanded outreach efforts, support more students in their musical journeys and continue shaping the next generation of musicians and educators.
The challenge formats were new in 2025, and they amplified the impact of every gift, Popiel said, creating funding to support opportunities that otherwise wouldn't be available to music students. "This incredible support empowers our students, strengthens our outreach and brings music to places where it would otherwise be absent," he said. "Together, we are making a lasting impact. Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us reach new heights!"
One Day One KU is back: On April 28-29, 2026 from noon to noon, join Jayhawks everywhere in helping the university we love to do extraordinary things — save the date!
