UNCG has raised more than $266 million for its Light the Way campaign, marking the most successful fundraising effort in the University’s history.
Light the Way: The Campaign for Earned Achievement was publicly announced on UNCG’s Founders Day, Oct. 5, 2021. At the campaign’s close on Dec. 31, 2025, 26,684 donors had made gifts totaling $266,186,027, exceeding the initial $200 million goal by 33%.
The transformative impact is already clear. So far, 1,091 students have received a scholarship created through Light the Way, and thousands more will follow in the years to come.
The campaign’s bold objective? To shape UNCG’s future by strengthening student access, academic excellence, and the University’s impact on the Triad and across the state.
The results were announced at a special event for the University community and its many supporters at the UNCG Soccer Stadium on March 26.
Light the Way will change the trajectory of the University and its students’ lives for decades to come while elevating every college and school at UNCG – including University Libraries, the Weatherspoon Art Museum, and Spartan Athletics.
The campaign established 236 new scholarships. Campaign Co-Chair Susan Safran, Class of 1977, said, “One of the central pillars of this campaign was ensuring that a vast array of students – first-generation scholars, military-affiliated students, working adults, and so many others – can access an excellent, affordable public education. That commitment is why UNCG is consistently ranked No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility, opening doors of opportunity.”
She further explained, “Much of the support that empowers our students, like scholarships, academic coaching, hands-on learning, and emergency assistance, has been made possible or strengthened because of this campaign.”
UNCG increased its number of distinguished professorships by 29% during Light the Way, adding 12 named positions that will help attract and retain top-tier faculty and strengthen both research and student learning.
“Our donors recognized the importance of breaking down barriers for our students and blazing new paths for success,” said Campaign Co-Chair Randall Kaplan. “Two hundred forty-four new program funds will bolster student success, academic programs, research, athletics, community engagement, and much more. It is impossible to truly define the full reach of this campaign.”
UNCG Board of Trustees Chair George Hoyle, Class of 1990, called attention to the powerful role alumni played in the success of this campaign. “More than 60% of Light the Way donors are UNCG graduates. They are deeply rooted in this region. Thirty-eight percent live right here in the Triad, and 71% live in North Carolina. Their impact on our community is a testament to UNCG’s legacy, and their support of this campaign demonstrates the confidence we share in UNCG’s mission.”
During the event, UNCG also announced a gift of more than $13 million – the largest in the University’s history – from Woman’s College alumna Harriet Shain Evenson, Class of 1953.
Her extraordinary generosity will expand the Harriet Shain and Jerome Evenson Endowed Scholarship in Education, establish the Jerome Evenson Distinguished Professorship in Artificial Intelligence in Education, and strengthen Jewish Studies. UNCG will honor this remarkable investment by naming the Harriet Shain and Jerome Evenson School of Education Building later this year.
The naming of two academic programs in honor of transformative gifts were also announced: The Charlene Moskal-Burges and Bill Burges School of Theatre and the Constance Hughes Kotis School of Music.
Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. shared, “This campaign reflects the grit and determination of our University community. Launched amid a pandemic and sustained through significant headwinds in higher education, we remained nimble, steadfast, and focused on our mission. Our community, including our corporate partners, stood with us because they understand that the success of UNCG is deeply connected to the prosperity of the Triad.”
Light the Way Campaign Facts & Figures
- $266,186,027 was raised in support of Light the Way, exceeding the goal by 33%.
- 26,684 donors contributed to the campaign.
- 58% of Light the Way donors made their first gift to UNCG during the campaign.
- 236 scholarships, 12 professorships, and 244 program funds were established.
- 36 spaces were named as a result of Light the Way giving.
- 47 donors made campaign gifts of $1 million or more.
- 88% of gifts to Light the Way were less than $1,000.
- Current, former, and retired UNCG faculty and staff gave over $25 million.
Relive highlights of the Light the Way campaign
Scenes from the Light the Way campus & community celebration
