Guilford College’s annual Day for Guilford was upgraded this year to a three-day event called Guilford Madness, held March 27-29. The event allowed students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of the College to come together online and in person to support different teams, clubs, departments and programs. It was a great success that generated a sense of togetherness and elation.

During Guilford Madness, participants could choose to donate any amount of money to the club, organization, team, initiative, etc., of their choice. The event provided an opportunity for the Guilford community to invest in the future of the College with a common goal: to make Guilford College a better place.

“Guilford Madness is basically this year’s version of the annual Day (for) Guilford, except it’s extended,” said sophomore football player Bryson Coe. 

“We, as the football team, are doing our best to reshare and post on our social (media) in order to fundraise game money for a program, as are the other members of different sports teams for their respective teams — men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, basketball, etc.,” Coe said.

Yet Guilford Madness was more than just a fundraiser. It offered students an opportunity to engage with their peers and faculty members outside of the classroom setting, creating a sense of diversity and inclusivity. 

“I feel as if the atmosphere is nice, and it forces people to engage with other people that they normally might not engage with,” said junior psychology major Kailee Hughes. “It’s very diverse.”

The senior gift committee also used the last day of Guilford Madness to fundraise, with a “Final Countdown” event that included arcade games, raffles and prizes for participants to enjoy. The atmosphere was very fun and relaxing. Allen Rogers, a Guilford data and research analyst, and Ashley Raper, special assistant to Guilford President Kyle Farmbry, described the atmosphere as jovial, energizing and spirited.

Creating a space and purpose for a wide variety of groups and individuals to connect is valuable in itself. But Guilford Madness represents something more profound. It is a testament to the power of community and the importance of investing in the future.

As the great American philosopher and educator John Dewey once said, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” At Guilford College, we take this sentiment to heart. We believe that investing in ourselves and our community is essential to the success of our college.

Guilford Madness was a huge win, both in terms of the money raised and the sense of community it generated. This year’s Guilford Madness events showcased the importance of investing in the future of the College, and the power of unity to bring people together for a common goal. It is my hope that we can continue to build on this momentum and make Guilford College an even better place for generations to come.