When Light the Way: The Campaign for Earned Achievement concluded on Dec. 31, 2025, it marked the triumphant end of a defining chapter for UNCG. With the support of 26,684 donors, the campaign raised $266,186,027 for the University – surpassing its initial goal by more than 33% to become the most successful campaign in UNCG’s history.
That success is already making its mark. By Spring 2026, more than 1,000 students had received scholarships created through the campaign, and thousands more will follow in the years to come.
Like the splash of a pebble, Light the Way’s impact continues to ripple outward to strengthen families, community members, employers, and the region itself.
“This campaign reflects the grit and determination of our University community,” says Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. “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.”
That connection is measurable. UNCG generates more than $1 billion in economic impact across the Piedmont Triad. Ranked No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report, UNCG also continues to create a ladder to greater opportunity for current students and those who follow them.
See The Impact
Next stop: Dental school
One alumni conversation changed everything. Through UNCG’s Student Leadership Program, Malachi Ward connected with dentist Jamel McDuffie ’93, an opportunity that led to an internship and a clear path toward dental school.
Future in Dance
A $1 million gift from alumna Mary Jean Pyatt ’49 is transforming opportunities for dance students at UNCG. The inaugural Pyatt Scholars are now beginning their own artistic journeys, supported by a scholarship rooted in a lifelong devotion to dance and education.
Fulfilling a Dream
Candy Chambers’ dream of becoming a teacher started in childhood—and took years of perseverance to reach. With support from the Eloise N. Eller 1965 Scholarship in Education, this first‑generation Spartan is graduating and preparing to be the kind of teacher who changes lives.
Evensons fund educators
The largest gift in UNCG’s history will transform its School of Education and elevate Jewish Studies.
Music Makers
Connie Kotis ’65, ’77 MM, ’25 LittD (Hon) and her husband, Bill, have stood by this University for more than four decades.
Theater Troupers
Charlene Moskal-Burges, a 1961 graduate of Woman’s College, spent her life uplifting the arts.
A Week at the G captures both everyday life and once-in-a-lifetime events. This spring, UNCG celebrated the record-breaking Light the Way campaign.
newsfront
-
Spartan alumna in NC State Capitol
As a curator at the North Carolina State Capitol, Anna Freeman Moore ’23 MA leads the process of creating and maintaining its public exhibitions. She takes the mission of serving the public seriously.…
-
Spartan at NC Museum of History
The North Carolina Museum of History tells a story that includes a multitude of communities across thousands of years. This year, with the nation’s 250th anniversary approaching, attention is on late colonial and…
-
Donors cheer Spartan athletes
At UNCG, supporting the whole student-athlete experience is a home run! Jeb Burns ’08 MED and his wife, Molly, are committed to Spartan success. From philanthropic support of Spartan Athletics to University Libraries,…
bigpicture
Every Commencement, I’m reminded that the moment a Spartan tosses their cap into the air is more than a celebration, it’s a beginning. It marks the point where potential meets direction, and where the experiences, mentorship, and opportunities found at UNCG begin to take shape as purpose.
I was struck by this recently while listening to three seniors from the Bryan School of Business and Economics reflect on their journeys. They arrived on campus as talented students, but like many, they were still exploring what their futures might hold.
Through programs like the Bryan School’s Blueprint Series, that exploration became intention. What started out
as curiosity and promise evolved into goal-oriented preparation for their careers, guided by hands-on experiences and real-world skills that set them apart from friends at other schools.
This kind of transformation doesn’t happen by accident. It is made possible by a community of supporters who invest in our innovative programs that help drive our students’ success. As we celebrate the impact of the Light the Way campaign, in this issue and beyond, I’m reminded that when Spartans cross the stage to take their well-earned diplomas and toss their caps in the air, their accomplishments
are a source of pride for all of us.
FRANKLIN D. GILLIAM, JR.
CHANCELLOR
thestudio
-
Spartan alumna’s legacy leading West Point glee Club
Connie Lankford Chase ’76 spent nearly 26 years as conductor of the renowned West Point Military Academy Glee Club. But before she made it to those heights, she studied at UNCG.
-
Tinseltown intern makes star turn
Katie Lambert ’16 leveraged her UNCG Theatre degree into a career as manager of digital marketing and design with Warner Brothers’ in-house label, WaterTower Music.
-
Stitches in time at the Weatherspoon Art Museum
Threaded narratives are coming alive at the Weatherspoon Art Museum. Two exhibitions highlight the incredible artistry of quilting and the many roles this art form has played for Black communities in the South.…