������Ƶ will host “United in Purpose” on Thursday, Nov. 5, bringing together alumni, parents and friends of ������Ƶ and Queens University of Charlotte for an evening of connection and community.

The event will be held at Urban Garden in Charlotte and begin at 6:30 p.m. with a hosted reception featuring hors d’oeuvres. Guests will gather at 7:30 p.m. for a special program featuring remarks from ������Ƶ President Connie Ledoux Book. A dessert reception will follow the program and conclude the evening. Business attire is requested.

United in Purpose
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026
6:30 p.m. — Hosted reception with hors d’oeuvres
7:30 p.m. — Program
Dessert reception to follow until 9 p.m.

Urban Garden
150 N. College St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

Register at or contact advancement@elon.edu.

The $500,000 contribution from Trustee Vicky Hunt and Sam Hunt will fund strategic priorities in athletics, continuing a tradition of generous philanthropy at ������Ƶ that spans more than three decades.

The Burlington, North Carolina, couple said they are proud to invest in and the success of student-athletes, both in the classroom and in competition. Their recent gift is an effort to continue advancing Phoenix athletics under the leadership of Director of Athletics Jenn Stawley.

“We believe in the value of ������Ƶ athletics and its positive impact on the lives of our student-athletes,” the Hunts said. “Under Jenn’s leadership, the vision and plan established for athletics has elevated our program. Our plans are to continue supporting President Connie Book, Jenn Strawley and ������Ƶ in every way we can!”

Strawley thanked the Hunts for believing in the vision for ������Ƶ athletics.

“I am deeply grateful to Sam and Vicky for their long-time support of ������Ƶ athletics,” Strawley said. “Their generosity has allowed countless student-athletes to thrive both athletically and academically. I also appreciate the trust and belief they’ve shown in our vision. Their generous support of the Athletic Director’s Excellence Fund advances our priorities and continues to elevate ������Ƶ athletics.”

The impact of Vicky and Sam Hunt’s philanthropy can be seen across ������Ƶ’s campus and in the accomplishments of outstanding students.

The couple are among the university’s most generous and loyal donors, making gifts to name Hunt Atrium, a dynamic and spacious entry point to Founders Hall in the Innovation Quad, featuring open collaboration spaces and assembly areas, tiered bench seating and space for group events, guest speakers and receptions. Their gift to the IQ also endowed the Sam and Vicky Hunt Business Fellows Scholarship for top students in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.

The Hunts also contributed $1 million to name Phoenix Atrium in Slattery Center, ������Ƶ’s future health and wellness hub, and to provide additional funding for the Sam and Vicky Hunt Odyssey Scholarship, which the couple endowed in 2017 to assist students with significant financial need, including first-generation college students.

In addition to scholarships, the Hunts have contributed generously to the Phoenix Club and ������Ƶ Academy, the university’s successful college access and success program, and advanced ������Ƶ’s iconic campus with gifts to Hunt Softball Park, Schar Center and . The couple have also made a $3 million estate gift that in the future will create an endowment to fund scholarships.

Sam Hunt is the retired chairman and CEO of Atlas Lighting Products and Hunt Electric Supply Company in Burlington. He served four terms in the N.C. House of Representatives before being named Transportation Secretary in 1993. He went on to serve as President and Chairman of the N.C. Railroad from 1996-2002. In addition to her role in their businesses, Vicky Hunt has served on ������Ƶ’s Board of Trustees since 1997 and is actively involved with charitable work in her community.

Formerly known as Summer in the Village, Summer Launch prepares students for their incoming grade-level curriculum while creating opportunities to build relationships and confidence before returning to the classroom.

Two Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) teachers led each classroom, all of whom had previously worked with the “It Takes a Village” Project, and volunteers supported them. This additional support allowed students to work in smaller groups and receive individualized attention throughout the program.

For one volunteer, Summer Launch offered the chance to return to a program that had been part of his own childhood. Diego Aguilar Hernandez grew up attending Big Village tutoring sessions. Now a rising senior in high school, he has returned to his roots, working alongside his former fourth-grade teacher, Ashley Cook, this summer.

“Summer Launch gave me the opportunity to build relationships with the students while helping them grow academically,” said Hernandez. “It was really rewarding seeing their progress and confidence grow throughout the two weeks, and I’m grateful I got to be part of their experience.”

Cook has long supported the “It Takes a Village” Project in the mission to uplift students, and is a testament to how ABSS teachers are key to the program’s success. Her commitment to the classroom proves why students such as Hernandez have become eager to give back.

“Being a part of the Village Project is an experience I hold near and dear to my heart. I’ve loved being the Andrews Elementary liaison, but teaching this diverse group of ABSS students was such a special treat,” said Cook. “The genuine love and appreciation shown by the students and their families was palpable — as teachers, we know when that is real! It’s a beautiful testament to the incredible, often unseen hard work that Laura and Keely put into fundraising and building partnerships so that our Title I students can have these amazing opportunities.”

Another source of dedication within the “It Takes a Village” Project is Annabelle Jones, who co-leads instruction for the Village’s STEM program, IGNITE, formerly known as Engineering in the Village.

“After having the opportunity to help lead with Engineering in the Village, when I saw the opportunity to be a part of the ������Ƶ Village Summer Launch, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” said Jones. “Being connected with opportunities from ������Ƶ is so special to me. I received my K-12 AIG Certification through ������Ƶ and continued on with the Master’s Program. As a 2019 graduate from ������Ƶ, with a Master’s in Education – Gifted Education, helping out with the Village feels like coming home. The joy it brings to support the whole child is incredible. Fostering the love of learning, building relationships and community is something that the Village provides a space and place for.”

Although Summer Launch differed from Jones’ usual STEM-focused curriculum, she embraced the opportunity to create a memorable experience for her students. Her classroom became “Camp Care-A-Lot,” complete with outdoor-themed activities, a campfire centerpiece and a campfire song for students each day.

“At the end of the summer camp, students shared how they weren’t ready for it to end and how they would miss me. The feeling is mutual for sure! Another student shared how when she grows up and has kids of her own, she wants to send them to the Village Summer Camp because she wants them to have the same experience. That really helps to explain how special and the uniqueness of the program,” Jones said. “Being a part of the Village is such a positive experience. I am full of passion for the program and I am honored to give back to the community in such a meaningful way. Thank you ������Ƶ!”

While teachers brought their creativity and expertise into the classroom, Newlin Elementary staff helped make Summer Launch possible by supporting the day-to-day operations of the program. During the school year, Natasha King serves as Newlin Elementary School’s teacher liaison, a leadership role that helps ensure the “It Takes a Village” Project’s programming runs smoothly. During Summer Launch, King remained at the forefront of check-in, welcoming students with a smiling face at the beginning and end of each day.

“Working in the Village program throughout the years and most recently this summer has provided me with the opportunity to experience how the program keeps evolving from its humble beginnings, as it continues to meet the needs of the dynamic community that we serve,” said King.

Alongside King, Principal Intern at Newlin Elementary Brittany Daye served as a site coordinator for Summer Launch. From preparing supplies in advance to coordinating logistics, Daye played an integral role in bringing the program together and helping create a welcoming environment for students and families.

“I genuinely enjoyed every moment of this journey. “’It Takes a Village’ is truly a magical program that not only enriches students academically but also builds relationships, inspires educators, and creates lasting memories,” said Daye. “It is an incredible asset to the Alamance County community, and I am honored to have been part of something that reminds us all that when a community comes together with a shared purpose, amazing things happen.”

Throughout its two-week duration, the program focused on helping students transition back to school in a fun and interactive way. The “It Takes a Village” Project supported teachers in bringing their big ideas to life by providing supplies for hands-on activities, such as designing pinecone bird feeders or creating a rainbow from cereal. During the second week, students participated in a summer-themed spirit week, coming to camp dressed in sunglasses, beach hats and other tropical attire.

For educators like King, Summer Launch is a glimpse into an exciting year of continued “It Takes a Village” Project programs for students.

“I love that even though ‘the Village,’ continues to grow and has added new programming, the premise of the program which is, ‘It Takes a Village,’ remains at the forefront of each and every program that is offered,” said King. “The Village continues to be intentional about including our families, educators, tutors, volunteers and students. We know that when children feel safe, supported and are nurtured by those around them, it makes it easier for them to learn new things, as they become more confident in themselves. I am so proud to be a part of such an awesome community!”

This fall, the “It Takes a Village” Project will continue working alongside ABSS staff, volunteers, families and students to build on that momentum and ensure every child has a successful and exciting school year.

Alumni, parents and friends of ������Ƶ are invited to come together for an Evening for ������Ƶ in Chicago. Connect with fellow members of the ������Ƶ community and hear a few highlights from campus.

The event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Chicago Cultural Center. Join us at 6:30 p.m. for a reception featuring a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres before gathering for a special program at 7:30 p.m. with remarks from President Connie Ledoux Book.

Evening for ������Ƶ in Chicago with President Connie L. Book 
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026
6:30 p.m. Hosted reception with hors d’oeuvres
7:30 p.m. Program with remarks by President Book

Chicago Cultural Center
77 East Randolph Street
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Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres

Register at  or contact advancement@elon.edu.

As ������Ƶ prepares for the new academic year ahead, we celebrate the accomplishments and the incredible support of donors during this past fiscal year.

Learn more below about the impact that donors made in 2025-26.

Giving: How donors invested in students

������Ƶ provides an exceptional education, unique in the opportunities that are provided to students from the very beginning. Donor support helps bridge the gap between an ordinary education and unlocking the potential of all that ������Ƶ has to offer. From hands-on learning and mentorship, to ������Ƶ Experiences like study abroad and research, students can take advantage of what makes ������Ƶ special with the help of donor funding.

Donor generosity from the 2025-26 fiscal year will continue to impact students for years to come. Here are just a few of the ways in which donors invested in students this past year:

• $31.8 million raised for students
• 6,337 alumni donors
• 4,208 parent and grandparent donors
• 1,021 faculty and staff donors
• 364+ funds impacted
• 11 new planned gifts totaling $5+ Million
• ��𳦴ǰ���-�����𲹰쾱�Բ���������Ƶ Day 2026 raising $3.5 million
• Top funds supported: ������Ƶ’s Greatest Needs, ������Ƶ Student Scholarships, Academic Schools & Departments, The Phoenix Club and HealthEU

Student success: What donor gifts made possible

Thanks to donor support, ������Ƶ’s Odyssey Program reached a new milestone, welcoming the largest cohort in ������Ƶ history. You can learn more about this accomplishment on Today at ������Ƶ.

Donor generosity also led to a successful year for student-athletes. This year marked a 48% increase for annual giving to support Phoenix Athletics compared to just five years ago. Twenty student-athletes presented their research at the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum, and 93 student-athletes graduated in May 2026. All of this in addition to winning multiple CAA championship titles! 

More than 1,500 students walked across the stage to accept their diplomas during Commencement 2026. Thanks to donor support, students were able to see their dreams realized. Visit Today at ������Ƶ to read the stories of graduating seniors to see how donors helped them along the way.

Community: How we strengthened ������Ƶ together

������Ƶ’s network continues to thrive because of the engagement of alumni, families, faculty, staff and friends. Their involvement is what makes the university so special, strengthening our community and creating opportunities for future generations.

These accomplishments illustrate the tremendous impact of involvement with ������Ƶ:

Alumni

• 10,550 engaged alumni
• 186��alumni events with 3,547 attendees
• 2,427 alumni returned for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend
• 2,523 alumni served as volunteers
• 296 shared their love for ������Ƶ as Social Media Ambassadors
• 33��Women of ������Ƶ events with 368 attendees
• 811 participants in Lifelong Learning and Professional Development
• 1,523 alumni participated in 
• 67 reunion committee members

Families

• 6,881�� attendees representing 1,939 families
• 32 Summer Welcome Events with 756 attendees in 23 States
• 364 “Ready, Set, ������Ƶ!” virtual attendees
• 116��FAMbassadors
• 7 parent Webinars���ɾ��ٳ���967�����ٳٱ�Ի����

Faculty & Staff

• 42 Giving Captains
• 4 Co-Chairs for Faculty & Staff Giving
• 105 ������Ƶ Day Champions

Together, these accomplishments tell the story of an extraordinary ������Ƶ community and its enduring commitment to giving back. Thank you to our 2025–26 fiscal year donors for investing in our students and their future.

Alumni, parents and friends of ������Ƶ are invited to come together for an Evening for ������Ƶ in Washington, DC. Connect with fellow members of the ������Ƶ community and hear a few highlights from campus.

The event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the National Portrait Gallery. Join us at 7 p.m. for a reception featuring a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres before gathering for a special program at 8 p.m. with remarks from President Connie Ledoux Book. Following the remarks, current alumni donors are invited to the Cheers to ������Ƶ celebration, featuring additional food and drinks, lively music and the opportunity to connect with fellow members of the ������Ƶ community.  to the designation of your choice to join the fun.

Evening for ������Ƶ in Washington, DC with President Connie L. Book 
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
7 p.m. Hosted reception with hors d’oeuvres
8 p.m. Program with remarks by President Book
8:30 -10 p.m. Cheers to ������Ƶ celebration for alumni donors

National Portrait Gallery
8th and G Streets NW
Washington, DC 20001

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres

Register at  or contact advancement@elon.edu.

A total of 347 alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends made gifts to ������Ƶ Law during the 2025-26 academic year, a 23% increase over the previous year and the highest donor total in school history.

The law school also recorded a school-record ������Ƶ Society-level donors — pledging $1,500 or more annually — reflecting growing investment in ������Ƶ Law’s students, programs and future.

Highlights from the year include:

• The highest annual fundraising total in seven years and a 20% increase year over year.
• 11% alumni participation, a school record.
• 24% growth in ������Ƶ Day fundraising.
• 67% growth in the 3L class gift campaign.
• A new endowed scholarship established to support student bar examination preparation.

“This kind of support doesn’t happen by accident,” ������Ƶ Law Dean Zak Kramer said. “There’s excitement about where ������Ƶ Law is going. We’ve seen record bar exam results, record applications and approval to expand our full-time program to Charlotte. Big things are happening at ������Ƶ Law, and our alumni and friends are making them possible.”

The results continue a multi-year trend of increasing engagement among ������Ƶ Law alumni and supporters, who contribute to scholarships, student programming, professional development opportunities and other initiatives that strengthen the law school’s mission.

Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations Scott Leighty said the record-setting year reflects the growing community of alumni and friends who believe in ������Ƶ Law’s students and mission.

“We like to say that big things are happening at ������Ƶ Law. Indeed, they are,” Leighty said. “Philanthropy reflects our community’s shared belief in our students.”

Among the year’s accomplishments was the establishment of a new endowed scholarship dedicated to helping students prepare for the bar examination, expanding support for graduates as they take the final step toward entering the legal profession. That growing support paid dividends this year, as the Class of 2025 set school records for state and national bar passage.

The latest fundraising and engagement results build on continued momentum across ������Ƶ Law as the law school expands its impact in Greensboro, Charlotte and throughout North Carolina.

Losing a parent changes everything. How you see the world. How you build relationships. How you understand risk, love and time.

Aidan Steinbach ’23 knows this all too well. He was just seven years old when his mother died. A respected scholar and professor of public health, Michelle Mayer dedicated her life to bringing quality healthcare to communities in need before her life was cut short by a rare autoimmune disease that she battled for more than 12 years. She was 39 years old.

To honor her memory, Steinbach made a $2 million estate gift to create the Michelle Mayer Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will assist students who have experienced the death of a parent or guardian, with first preference given to entrepreneurship majors in ������Ƶ’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, where Steinbach earned his degree in management in 2023.

Endowing the scholarship is Steinbach’s way of paying tribute to his mother—who helped fund his ������Ƶ education—and helping future generations of students grappling with the same kind of loss he experienced.

“My Mom was Wonder Woman,” Steinbach said. “That’s who your mom is when you’re seven years old. She’s the person who protects you, clothes and feeds you, and teaches you right from wrong. I miss her every day.”

Mayer was also someone who valued education and ensured Steinbach and his older sister Amelia had the chance to go to college.

“My Mom wasn’t wealthy. She didn’t leave behind real estate or investments or anything you’d call an estate,” Steinbach said. “What she left was a life insurance policy that helped pay for my ������Ƶ education. I got to go to school debt-free because my mother died. I’ve sat with that fact for most of my life. It’s not something you ever fully resolve. You just learn to carry it.”

Michelle Lynn Mayer died October 11, 2008, at the Duke Hospice Inpatient Care Facility in Durham, North Carolina, after battling scleroderma, part of a group of chronic autoimmune disorders marked by hardening and tightening of the skin. Scleroderma can also damage the lungs, heart, kidneys, digestive track, muscles and joints, and other internal organs.

It was a struggle Mayer chronicled in her blog, “Diary of a Dying Mom,” where she wrote essays on parenting, living and dying to help families facing the challenges of terminal illnesses.

“I deal with the topic of death head-on in an unflinching way,” Mayer wrote in one entry. “I believe that, as a culture, we shy away from anything surrounding death and, consequently, deprive ourselves of all the lessons inherent in the dying and grieving process. We ignore the reality that death is as much a part of life as birth.”

A Philadelphia native, Mayer graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania (1990) with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a minor in economics from the Wharton School of Business, before earning her master’s degree in public health education (1992) and a doctorate in health policy and administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1997). During her doctoral program, Mayer also served as a health economics consultant for the World Bank in Washington, D.C., and in Nairobi, Kenya.

In 1997, Mayer married Dr. William J. Steinbach after the two met as graduate students at UNC.

The couple (and later their young children) briefly lived in California during Dr. Steinbach’s medical residency. During this time, Mayer worked as a clinical research associate in the Department of Pediatrics at Stanford University and as research director of the Children’s Health Initiative at the Lucile S. Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, California. The family then moved back to the Triangle in 2001, and Mayer served as a research fellow at the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and a research assistant professor in the School of Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill, until stepping down in 2007 due to her illness.

In the family’s Durham neighborhood, Mayer started a group for families with young children, which was a vital source of support for her family during her illness. Mayer also regularly volunteered at her children’s school, even after the disease had curtailed many of her daily activities. Throughout her ordeal, Mayer remained passionate about improving access to quality healthcare for underserved communities, supporting women and families, and promoting awareness of scleroderma.

Steinbach is grateful to his mother for giving him the gift of education. He is equally grateful to ������Ƶ for providing him with an outstanding experience, including participation in the Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows program and Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which prepared him for success. Steinbach, who lives in San Francisco, is a banker at Erebor and also runs his own consulting firm, working with companies backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator and others.

Steinbach hopes the scholarship will encourage students to follow their dreams, knowing someone is willing to invest in their success.

“My mother inspired me to be a better person. I hope this scholarship inspires others to be better as well, and, in turn, to own that obligation as they go out into the world,” he said. “������Ƶ gave me a chance during a stretch of my life when the odds weren’t obviously in my favor. The scholarship is my attempt to extend that same chance to someone else who didn’t ask for what happened to them, but is still here trying to figure out what comes next.”

“Aidan’s desire to honor his mother’s legacy while creating opportunity for others is a wonderful example of the power of philanthropy to change lives,” said Leanna Giles ’02, associate director of planned giving. “He didn’t just want to honor her memory—he wanted to transform something painful into possibility for someone else. For that, the ������Ƶ community is grateful.”

Make An Impact

To learn how you can make an impact at ������Ƶ through your estate, contact Leanna Giles ’02, associate director of planned giving, at (336) 278-5798 or lgiles@elon.edu.

The program’s inaugural performance will feature the North Carolina Symphony on September 30, 2026, in Alumni Gym. Details about this concert, including tickets, will be shared with the ������Ƶ community this summer.

“This gift is to express gratitude to the ������Ƶ community for 25 wonderful years together and to provide enhanced opportunities for all of us to experience great music at ������Ƶ,” said Fred Young, who served as the university’s seventh president from 1973-1998, leading historic growth and progress at the institution.

������Ƶ President Connie Ledoux Book thanked the Youngs for their generosity and dedicated service to the university.

“Fred and Phyllis Young’s contributions to ������Ƶ over many decades are vast and many—from doubling our enrollment and expanding our campus to enriching academic programs and supporting generations of students,” Book said. “Their dedication has helped shape the ������Ƶ we know today. With this remarkable gift, they now add the joy of classical music to that legacy, ensuring our community will experience exceptional performances for years to come.”

In addition to full orchestra concerts, it is envisioned that the Youngs’ endowment will fund other signature performances on campus, including seasonal concerts and a chamber music concert, as well as engagement opportunities with music students, including career development seminars and master classes. Performances by the ������Ƶ Orchestra and ������Ƶ Wind Ensemble may also be included.

As the endowment grows, additional opportunities for students may include new music-themed Winter Term courses and global engagement experiences, as well as opera performances on campus.

The Fred and Phyllis Young Classical Music Program Endowment will complement performances by ������Ƶ’s current ensembles, including:

• Bands (The Fire of the Carolinas Marching Band & Phoenix Pep Band)
• Choral Activities & Voice (University Chorale, Camerata, élan & Opera Workshop.)
• ������Ƶ Orchestra
• ������Ƶ Wind Ensemble & ������Ƶ Concert Band
• ������Ƶ Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Combos
• ������Ƶ Contemporary Chamber Ensemble
• Commercial and Pop Music (������Ƶ Electric Ensemble, Techtronica)

About President Emeritus James Fred Young

J. Fred Young was one of the longest-serving presidents in ������Ƶ history whose vision and leadership laid the foundation for ������Ƶ’s remarkable rise to national distinction. Young led an era of historic growth and transformation as ������Ƶ became one of the premier undergraduate institutions on the Eastern seaboard.

During Young’s 25-year tenure, ������Ƶ’s enrollment more than doubled to 3,685 students and the campus grew from about 145 acres to more than 500 acres. New academic offerings were added, including master’s programs in business administration, education and physical therapy; a new general studies program (now ������Ƶ Core Curriculum); and new majors, including communications, computer systems, sports medicine and leisure/sport management. The ������Ƶ Experiences engaged learning programs also grew under Young’s leadership.

Facilities construction and renovation included additions to the Center for the Arts, Koury Center for athletics, Moseley Center for campus activities and the Dalton L. McMichael Sr. Science Center. In addition, construction began on the Carol Grotnes Belk Library, while Young also began planning and fundraising for Rhodes Stadium. Young was named President Emeritus by the ������Ƶ Board of Trustees.

Fred and Phyllis Young are among ������Ƶ’s most dedicated donors, making gifts to ������Ƶ’s Greatest Needs, including scholarships, and the Phoenix Club. Young Commons, the expansive lawn in front of Moseley Center, was dedicated on October 10, 2000, in honor of the Youngs and their decades of leadership and service to the university. Fred and Phyllis are the grandparents of ������Ƶ sophomore Myla Young ’28.

The Chandlers remain impressed by ������Ƶ’s commitment to sound strategic planning and doing what’s best for students. It’s what inspired the couple’s gift to Slattery Center, the university’s new hub for health and wellness that will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to succeed on campus and throughout their lives.

Scheduled to open later this year, Slattery Center is located within ������Ƶ’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs. The center is part of the university’s broader HealthEU initiative to serve students, faculty and staff.

“It adds value and is beneficial when you can provide a place where students can go to be in community, exercise, receive counseling and focus on their well-being,” said Bob Chandler, former executive vice president of Chandler Concrete Co. “This facility shows that the university is aware of the challenges students face and how to help them in all aspects of their health.”

The HealthEU initiative focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story Slattery Center will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Through coursework, as well as workshops and training programs focused on health and wellness, Slattery Center will impact all students as they progress through their education and learn essential skills and practices related to wellness and well-being. The center is a key priority of the Boldly ������Ƶ strategic plan that will guide the university to 2030.

The couple’s gift will also endow the Chandler Family Global Experience Fund, strengthening ������Ƶ’s commitment to provide each of the university’s 17 varsity teams with a global experience every four years.

“Global experiences are a cornerstone of an ������Ƶ education, and thanks to Bob and Amy Chandler, our student-athletes will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the world while sharing their sport across cultures,” said Jennifer Strawley, director of athletics. “Bob and Amy are truly special people who value the holistic development of our student-athletes and their generosity will be felt for generations. I am deeply grateful for their many years of dedication to this university and for the profound difference they make in the lives of our student-athletes.”

“Our family has been sports fans for as long as I can remember. We love the energy and excitement athletics brings to campus and the opportunities it provides to students,” Bob Chandler said.

“������Ƶ is a national leader in global study, and we are thrilled to help provide this experience for student-athletes,” he added. “It’s essential that students have the opportunity to witness other cultures and encounter the differences and similarities of the people there. It provides tremendous growth for a person and a deeper understanding of the world.”

The Chandler family is among ������Ƶ’s most generous and devoted donors, helping to shape one of the finest learning environments in the nation through their gifts to Belk Library, Rhodes Stadium, Ernest A. Koury, Sr. Business Center, Gerald L. Francis Center, Alumni Field House, Richard W. Sankey Hall, Schar Center, The Inn at ������Ƶ and Innovation Quad.

Bob Chandler’s parents, Tom and Lynn Chandler, also endowed the Chandler Family Professional Sales Center in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. Tom Chandler was the chairman and former CEO of Chandler Concrete, which he founded in 1973, and he served on ������Ƶ’s Board of Trustees for more than two decades before being elected Life Trustee in 2021. In 2023, Tom Chandler received the ������Ƶ Medallion, the university’s highest honor.

“������Ƶ’s trajectory shows remarkable advancement,” Bob Chandler said. “������Ƶ has a vision of what’s to come and how to keep the university moving forward. It is a vibrant and thriving university that is gratifying for the students, faculty and community.”

The university’s influence extends far beyond the campus.

“The impact that ������Ƶ has on Alamance County and the region is significant, and we feel it’s important for our family to support the university,” Bob said. “It’s a community that we are proud to be part of.”