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
-
UNCG research for inflammation relief
A nanoscience researcher is taking on a driver of chronic disease. Assistant professor Kerui Wu in the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering received a grant from NCInnovation to advance his work on…
-
UNCG’s home court gets new name
A familiar Spartan Athletics home has a new name. Bodford Arena – the former Fleming Gym – honors Alvin “Al” Bodford and the Bodford family for their extraordinary support of Spartan Athletics.
-
Team Norway comes to UNCG
There are new colors in UNCG’s soccer stadium. That’s because the Norwegian National Football Team selected UNCG as its official Team Base Camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the premier international soccer…
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
-
On stage and upcoming, in UNCG’s UCLS
As the UNCG Magazine print issue hits mailboxes, many shows remain in the 2024-25 University Concert and Lecture Series. Sw!ng Out: Caleb Teicher brings swing dance to campus with live big band. A…
-
UNCG’s Maud Gatewood at her peak
Maud Gatewood ’54 was one of the most significant 20th century painters to work in North Carolina. Her years studying art at Woman’s College were highly influential on her career. “I thought it…
-
At Weatherspoon, artists engage with disability
The year’s most anticipated Weatherspoon Art Museum exhibition presents contemporary artists engaging with experiences and understandings of disability. Some artists in the exhibition “Crip” identify as disabled and some do not, but each…