At Dillard University, gratitude is not seasonal—it is foundational. It is woven into who we are, how we serve, and why we remain connected long after we leave the Oaks.
That belief gave rise to the inaugural 31 Days of Gratitude, a heartfelt email letter campaign created to do something simple yet profound: pause the ask, center appreciation, and speak directly to the alumni who make Fair Dillard possible.
This initiative was intentionally designed to span the month of December and culminate on New Year’s Day—closing one year in gratitude and opening the next with vision. The final letter, delivered on January 1, comes from the President of Dillard University, symbolizing both reflection and renewal as we step forward together.
The Vision: Gratitude Without an Ask
Too often, alumni communication begins with a request. While alumni support is vital, this campaign was born from a different question:
What if we led with thanks?
The 31 Days of Gratitude was created to ensure alumni heard—clearly and consistently—how deeply they are valued for their time, their talent, their treasure, and their trust in Dillard University. No appeals. No fundraising language. Just authentic appreciation.
The Why: Alumni Deserve to Be Seen
This campaign was also about visibility—not just of alumni, but of the people who serve them.
Each letter was written by someone whose work is directly shaped by alumni impact: Faculty, administrators, staff, student leaders, alumni partners, trustees, and university leadership.
Together, these voices offered alumni something meaningful: a chance to put faces with names and names with purpose.
Behind every scholarship awarded, program launched, student mentored, and tradition upheld are individuals working tirelessly on behalf of Dillard—and this campaign invited alumni into that story.
The How: A Daily Reminder of Impact
Every day, alumni received a new letter—each one personal, reflective, and rooted in lived experience. And for those who noticed closely, there was an added layer of joy:
**Each subject line carried a creative clue, offering a playful hint about the writer’s department, discipline, or role within the University. It was our way of engaging hearts and curiosity—because gratitude can be meaningful and fun.
The campaign concluded on New Year’s Day, with a special message from the President of the University—ushering alumni into the new year affirmed, appreciated, and reminded that they are essential to Dillard’s future.
A Personal Note from the Director of Alumni Relations
This campaign is also deeply personal.
The 31 Days of Gratitude was envisioned and shepherded by Amanda Winfield-Buford ’08, Director of Alumni Relations, as a labor of love for the alumni community she proudly serves. Rooted in her own lived experience as a Dillard graduate, this initiative reflects a simple truth she holds dear:
Alumni are not an audience—they are family.
This project was created to honor that family, uplift their legacy, and ensure gratitude is not assumed, but expressed—intentionally and publicly.
Stay Connected—Don’t Miss a Letter
If you did not receive our 31 Days of Gratitude messages, we don’t want you to miss another moment.
Be sure to sign up for alumni emails by clicking the link below so you can stay connected, informed, and celebrated.
Because gratitude should always reach home.
