University Advancement | Light the Way Campaign

UNC Greensboro

This is a photo of Kirk and Lance Willoughby-Hudson in La Gomera. The mountains are behind them. They are standing on a low, stone wall with their arms around each other smiling for the camera.

Willoughby-Hudsons’ gift for expanding horizons

Kirk and Lance Willoughby-Hudson firmly believe in the importance of educational experiences abroad.

For them, such experiences inspired an appreciation for other cultures that led to empathy and the ability to find common ground in both personal and professional relationships.

Acting upon their belief, the couple has established the Willoughby-Hudson Study Abroad Endowment Fund with a generous pledge to fund international travel abroad experiences for students in UNCG’s Bryan School of Business and Economics.

Gavin J. Smith and Mary C. Mertz-Smith are sitting close to each other smiling brightly. There are green leaves from trees in the background.

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.

This is a photo of Raven Sizemore '24 holding a note from Linda Fisher Sloan ’82 MFA. Raven is dressed in her graduation attire. She is smiling with gratitude.

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.

Dr. Megan Walters of UNCG Career and Professional Development Office is standing in front of a class presenting the valuable skills Humanities students bring to their careers.

$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.

Constance “Connie” Hughes Kotis ’65, ’77 MM is sitting at a desk with her pen poised over music sheets. She is looking up at the camera smiling brightly.

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.

This is a photo of Aunisty Belcher, Aleiza Higgins, Ava New, and Alex Moss, the "A" team scholarship recipients. They are either sitting or standing posing for a profile photo. The letters UNCG are behind them.

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.”

Carl Seager is seated with Seager Scholars (l-r) Lyndie Enchautegui, Dayvion McAllister, and Taylor Phillips. Photo by Bert VanderVeen ’97 MA standing around him.

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…

Three women are dressed in navy smiling brightly for a profile photo.

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.”

This is three photos combined into one. On the left is Dr. Eloise McCain Hassell. Dr. Jeffrey Sarbaum is in the middle. On the right is Sara MacSween.

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.