Growing up, Anna Kobza spent her summers taking care of horses and cattle through 4-H in her hometown of David City, Nebraska.

She showed cattle in high school, sparking an interest in the beef industry that flourished at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She earned her undergraduate degree in animal science in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in 2020 and is currently pursuing a doctorate at UNL. She said scholarships helped pay for her undergraduate education, putting Kobza on a path to her career goal of becoming a feedlot nutritionist.

“This is a land-grant university, and agriculture is our foundation,” she said. “Helping us to afford our education is not something we take for granted.”

University supporters will have the opportunity to assist Husker students like Kobza during Glow Big Red — 24 Hours of Husker Giving Feb. 14-15. Glow Big Red is the university’s annual giving event when Huskers around the world come together to support student scholarships, colleges and programs, student organizations, inclusion, mental health and many other areas. Students, alumni, faculty, staff and the Husker community at large are invited to support the university they love by making a gift at glowbigred.unl.edu.

“I am so grateful to all those whose generosity supports the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, including gifts to this year’s Glow Big Red,” Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett said. “Private giving helps UNL connect to its mission to teach, to conduct life-changing research and to serve Nebraskans. The UNL students, faculty and staff who benefit from private giving serve the communities where they live and work, and make our university a better place to educate, research, serve and inspire.”

The sixth annual event starts at noon Feb. 14 and continues through noon Feb. 15. The 2024 goal is 5,000 gifts of $5 or more. Donors who make a gift of at least $65 will receive a Husker stocking hat. Husker Nation also can show their love for UNL students by helping to spread the word on social media using the hashtag #GlowBigRed and by lighting up their room, home or business in red.

Alumni and donors have committed approximately $312,000 through more than 145 matching funds and challenges to encourage others to give during the event. The matches and challenges will be unlocked if certain giving goals are achieved. Those include support for a variety of causes, including scholarships; the Husker Pantry, which provides free food and hygiene supplies to students in need; the Military and Veteran Success Center; and the Honors Program.

In 2023, $653,246 was raised during Glow Big Red with Husker faithful representing every U.S. state and nine countries giving to UNL. The giving day started in 2019 in recognition of the university’s 150th anniversary.

Several events are scheduled this week to celebrate Glow Big Red:

Feb. 14:

• Nebraska Union near the food court, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: The celebration will include Valentine’s Day treats, games, door prizes and opportunities to support Glow Big Red.

• Nebraska East Union, Great Plains Room, 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m.: The celebration, hosted by CASNR, will feature Glow Big Red ice cream from the UNL Dairy Store on East Campus.

• Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall, Room 227, 10 a.m.-noon: The College of Education and Human Sciences will host an event with donuts and hot chocolate for faculty, staff and students.

Feb. 15

• Howard L. Hawks Hall, Henrickson Family Atrium, 10:30 a.m.-noon: The College of Business will host an event for faculty, staff and students with custom cookies and an opportunity to make a gift.