Alumni Scholars Endowment

The following biography was written at the time of this scholarship establishment; some information may not be up to date:

The Alumni Scholars Program was formally begun in 1962-1963 when the University of North Carolina Greensboro (then known as the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina) joined with the Alumni Association (then known as the Alumnae Association) to sponsor the Annual Giving Program. The Development Office was charged with the responsibility of conducting an annual fundraising campaign to give all alumni the opportunity to make contributions to the University. The first claim on funds raised through this campaign was to cover the cost of the campaign. The second claim was to provide funds for the operation of the Alumni Association. The third claim was to provide financial assistance to deserving students through a program known as the Alumni Scholars Program.

By virtue of the success of the Annual Giving Program, the Alumni Scholars Program has been successful since its beginnings. The number of students receiving stipends as Alumni Scholars has varied from year to year, depending upon the amount awarded and the criteria for selection – whether strict merit, strict need, or a combination of the two. A decision was made in 1981 to go with a strict merit plan, and a gradual phaseout of the need/merit system was begun.

It was felt that creation of a permanent endowment for the Alumni Scholars Program would free the program from its dependence upon annual contributions, and it would release those annual gifts that have normally gone to the Scholars Program.