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Tesh Ramey ’10 established an Arts Education Endowment to fund an annual scholarship for a student pursuing K-12 licensure in art, music, dance or theater.
Ciara Lilly ’09 created a scholarship to complement the great work of the University Transition Opportunities Program.
An Exponential Impact BY JENNIFER HOWE
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hanks to the generosity of alumni, faculty, staff, friends and corporate partners, Exponential: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte concluded successfully, raising $218,220,737. The funds raised will enhance the experiences of UNC Charlotte students and faculty as well as strengthen academic programming. More than 31,220 donors made gifts to the campaign that raised 109% of its goal, making it the most successful campaign in the University’s 74-year history. Focusing on opportunity, resources, talent and impact, the campaign offered everyone — alumni, business leaders and the University community — the opportunity to shape a future for UNC Charlotte more exciting than its past.
70 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine
| Fall 2020
“I am proud of the thousands who supported this campaign,” said Gene Johnson ’73, chair of Exponential. “Their tremendous demonstration of support, commitment and generosity ensure a brighter future for UNC Charlotte.” The most significant beneficiaries of the campaign’s success are and will be the University’s students. More than 225 scholarships were created, allowing students to reduce their financial burden as they pursue their degrees. Seventy-five percent of UNC Charlotte students receive some type of financial aid, with an average unmet need of $9,275 per student, making scholarship support the University’s greatest area of opportunity. Through the campaign 7,510 donors raised $71.3 million for student scholarships. As a result of Exponential, the average scholarship award increased 66.4%, from $1,751.93 to $2,916.54.
The power of scholarships
Donors who support UNC Charlotte do so for a variety of reasons. Alumni whose gifts created new scholarships were motivated to give back to their alma mater for the chance they’d had to fulfill their dreams of earning a UNC Charlotte degree.
