On a February evening, relationships were made that could set the course of a lifetime. UNCW held its Endowed Scholarship Appreciation Dinner and connected scholarship donors with recipients for two hours inside a transformed Burney Center.
“The feeling of seeing the donors who had shaped my college experience in person was absolutely incredible,” senior elementary education major Camille Bayer said. "Telling stories and sharing experiences that would not have occurred without the people in that room really solidified the value of my scholarships to me."
Bayer served as the keynote student speaker for the evening. Her endowed scholarships have given her the time to serve as president of the UNCW Student Ambassadors, defend her Honors College thesis, become a published research author for work done in the psychology department and study abroad.
“The difference between a good education and an exceptional, well-rounded college experience is philanthropy,” Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Eddie Stuart said. “Scholarships create financial freedom for students to actively engage in campus activities, explore opportunities to serve the local community, experience new cultures and gain real-world experiences that prepare them for a competitive job market.”
Since the start of Like No Other: The Campaign for UNCW, more than 130 new endowed scholarships have been created at UNCW while more than $10.3 million in endowment distributions have supported merit, athletic and need-based scholarships.
The appreciation dinner gave all donors a chance to reflect on how their investments positively impact the current Seahawk experience.
“Your long-term investments in scholarships remove many of the financial barriers that often prevent students from realizing their greatest potential,” Chancellor Aswani K. Volety shared that night. “We want to make the UNCW experience more accessible and affordable for future Seahawks.”
The meaningful conversations throughout the Burney Center will be cherished by all those in attendance for years to come.
Creating scholarships is a priority in UNCW’s ongoing comprehensive campaign, Like No Other: The Campaign for UNCW. For more information, click here.