University Advancement | Light the Way Campaign

UNC Greensboro

Applause! New Scholarship endowment for UNCG Theatre

The saying “All the world’s a stage” rings particularly true for UNC Greensboro alumnus Gavin J. Smith ’82 MFA. Smith credits three years at UNCG earning his master’s in theatre design and technical production with launching his multi-decade career in the entertainment industry.

To acknowledge his education and the professional success that followed, Smith and his wife, Mary Mertz-Smith, established the Gavin J. Smith and Mary C. Mertz-Smith Scholarship Endowment in Theatre Design and Technical Production with a planned gift to UNCG’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Sloan Scholar Becomes UNC System Presidential Scholar

Raven Sizemore ’24, the first recipient of the Sloan Scholarship endowed by Linda Fisher Sloan ’82 MFA and Thomas R. Sloan, graduated last spring.

Since its inaugural year, additional outstanding Spartans have become Sloan Scholars, too: Amelia Hanson, Jayson Flores-Rivera, Iyana Mercado, Juliet Asiegbunam, and Harmony Fairley. The scholarship covers tuition and other costs, including support for study-abroad experiences, service learning, or internships.

$5 Million Mellon Grant Provides Paid Internships for Humanities Students

UNC Greensboro has been awarded a $5 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to implement a five-year paid internship and educational program for humanities students called “Humanities at Work.” This landmark grant is the largest ever received by UNCG’s College of Arts & Sciences – as well as one of the largest in the University’s history.

Music fund in piano offers unique opportunity

The four-year fund dramatically raises the bar for the caliber of students entering the UNCG School of Music’s piano program. The fund was created by a gift from Constance “Connie” Hughes Kotis ’65, ’77 MM and her husband, Bill.

UNCG alumna creates legacy through scholarships

Curiosity is a hallmark of lifelong learning. As the late Mary “Bobbi” Miller Carson ’58 once noted, “I grew up with a very strong curiosity factor. Woman’s College gave me the life skills, education, motivation, and confidence to pursue that curiosity at many levels.”

Seager Scholarships will help Spartans pursue artistic dreams

Leigh Wells Seager ’72 was a friend to many in Greensboro. Although she passed away in March of 2022, Leigh’s capacity for doing good left an indelible imprint on the community and the people she knew. She gave countless hours of service to UNC Greensboro’s Jackson…

Music scholarship honors Emma Gibbs Slater

Robert Slater knows that music can create strong ties of friendship, family, and community. He learned this from his mother, Emma Gibbs Morisey Slater ’36. Now, he and his wife, Jane, are continuing his mother’s legacy through annual support of the Emma Gibbs Slater Scholarship in Music.

“Music is such an important part of life,” says Robert Slater. “It’s a gift to the community and a gift to other people.”

Bryan School’s first Cole Professional Track Distinguished Faculty

Not only are UNC Greensboro’s professors exceptional, but a new approach to support professional track faculty is, as well.

A gift from alumna Sue W. Cole ’72, ’77 MBA now endows a faculty excellence support fund that is the first of its kind at the University.