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An Exponential Impact
Tesh Ramey ’10 established an Arts Education Endowment to Ciara Lilly ’09 created a scholarship to complement the great fund an annual scholarship for a student pursuing K-12 licensure work of the University Transition Opportunities Program. in art, music, dance or theater. An Exponential
Impact “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 successful campaign in the University’s The most significant beneficiaries of the campaign’s success are and will be the University’s students. More
BY JENNIFER HOWE than 225 scholarships were created, allowing students
Thanks to the generosity of alumni, faculty, staff, degrees. Seventy-five percent of UNC Charlotte students friends and corporate partners, Exponential: receive some type of financial aid, with an average unmet The Campaign for UNC Charlotte concluded need of $9,275 per student, making scholarship support successfully, raising $218,220,737. The funds raised will the University’s greatest area of opportunity. enhance the experiences of UNC Charlotte students and Through the campaign 7,510 donors raised faculty as well as strengthen academic programming. $71.3 million for student scholarships. As a result of
More than 31,220 donors made gifts to the Exponential, the average scholarship award increased campaign that raised 109% of its goal, making it 66.4%, from $1,751.93 to $2,916.54. to reduce their financial burden as they pursue their 74-year history. The power of scholarships
Focusing on opportunity, resources, talent and Donors who support UNC Charlotte do so for a impact, the campaign offered everyone — alumni, variety of reasons. Alumni whose gifts created new business leaders and the University community — the scholarships were motivated to give back to their alma opportunity to shape a future for UNC Charlotte more mater for the chance they’d had to fulfill their dreams of exciting than its past. earning a UNC Charlotte degree.
Dana Erato ’99, ’01, the beneficiary of a scholarship, created an endowed scholarship for the women’s soccer program. She was able to earn an undergraduate degree at UNC Charlotte, while serving as four-year captain of the inaugural women’s soccer team.
“I knew the only way I was going to be able to play Division 1 soccer while getting a stellar education was through a soccer scholarship,” said Erato. “UNC Charlotte gave me that wonderful gift, and I knew from the day I signed my scholarship papers that I wanted to do the same thing for another young soccer player one day.”
Chris Moxley ’03 believes that increasing opportunities for one person can increase longterm prospects for others, which is why he chose to create the Jaylen C. Moxley Scholarship for Academic Excellence.
The scholarship, named for his son, will provide support to incoming UNC Charlotte first-year students with demonstrated financial need, who also have a history of volunteerism in their local communities. Preference will be given to firstgeneration college students and applicants of the Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship Fund.
“Jaylen inspires me every day, and I know that this scholarship, in his name, will be a stepping stone for countless others in the years to come on their journeys to become the best versions of themselves,” said Moxley, a compliance officer with TIAA and co-founder of Charlotte’s successful apparel company, 704 Shop.
Ciara Lilly ’09 connected with the mission of the University Transition Opportunities Program (UTOP) as a student and now, as an alumna, created a scholarship to complement the opportunities UTOP provides.
“Going to college can be a difficult transition for many students, especially first-generation students that aren’t necessarily equipped with a blueprint for what the college experience should be like,” said Lilly, director of business development and diversity for Environmental Service Systems and founder of Higher Ground Consulting Group.
“UTOP gives students that blueprint, while empowering them to excel and connecting them to a strong support network, accessible throughout their collegiate journey.”
Tesh Ramey ’10, arts education specialist in the College of Arts + Architecture, graduated from college debt-free, thanks to her father, which allowed her to pursue a career as a K-12 music educator. But Ramey knows few students have that same luxury. That is why she established an Arts Education Endowment to fund an annual
—GENE JOHNSON ’73, CHAIR OF EXPONENTIAL
Kira Marsh ’22 receives her Duke Energy STEM Scholarship. Professor Emeritus Herman Thomas congratulates DeVante ThomasPittman ’19 and Kendra Shaw ’19 for being the first recipients of the Harper-Thomas Legacy Endowment.
scholarship for a student pursuing K-12 licensure in art, music, dance or theater.
“My hope is these funds will support students earning licensure in the arts so they may begin their teaching careers free of debt,” said Ramey. “There is no better way to improve the world around you than to help someone be the first in their family to earn a degree, and on top of that, become a teacher.”
Scholarships transforming lives
Scholarships have made a difference in the lives of countless UNC Charlotte students. They have enabled students to start, continue and finish their educational journeys at UNC Charlotte, while paving the way for successful futures.
DeVante Thomas-Pittman ’19 and Kendra Shaw ’19 were the first recipients of the Harper-Thomas Legacy Endowment for Study Abroad, which honors emeritus professors Herman Thomas and the late Mary Harper. The annual merit-based award supports students’ international educational experiences with preference given to selfidentified first-generation college students from underrepresented populations.
“The scholarship allowed me to enjoy a life-changing experience,” said ThomasPittman. “I know for a fact that I would not have been able to study in Lyon, France, without the financial help. My classes at the University of Lyon were beneficial in helping me to better my comprehension of the French language. I was able to enjoy a handson learning environment and apply all of the skills I learned at UNC Charlotte.”
Evan West ’22 and Kira Marsh ’22 were co-valedictorians of the Charlotte Engineering Early College’s (CEEC) first graduating class of fifth-year students in 2019 and are continuing their educational journey at UNC Charlotte, thanks to generous scholarships from the Duke Energy Foundation.
“Receiving the Duke Energy STEM Scholarship means that I have far less of a financial burden weighing on me while I’m pursuing my degree,” said West, who is majoring in computer science.
For Marsh, receiving the annual $7,500 scholarship while she completes a bachelor’s degree in chemistry validates her CEEC efforts. “I’m now able to learn what I want and do the best I can without having that financial burden on my back,” she said.
CEEC is an innovative partnership between Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and UNC Charlotte, started in 2014, to attract high school students interested in STEM education, with a specific emphasis on engineering. As part of the Duke Energy Foundation’s generous gift to Exponential, CEEC received $900,000 to support summer bridge programs, summer research experiences and scholarships.
As a first generation college student, Demond Martin ’97 committed to study, service and campus leadership, in the process becoming student government president as a sophomore and meeting his future wife, Kia ’98. They created the Martin Scholars Program to support high-achieving students with the highest level of financial need. The program provides students with opportunities for professional development through specialized programs and financial assistance in studying abroad or completing an internship.
“Being a Martin Scholar means having a group of peer scholars and mentors that will push you to have a bigger idea of what your future can be and then equip you to go out and achieve it,” said Marc Moore ’20. “The scholarship itself also really helped me be able to fully focus on school and career without the constant financial fears many students face and helped me gain a strong undergraduate foundation to move forward with as I advance to grad school.”
Jennifer Howe is director of Advancement Communications.
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