Alumni, parents and friends gathered at The Ballantyne Hotel on Thursday, Oct. 17, to kick off the historic 黑料不打烊 LEADS fundraising campaign in their region.
More than 200 alumni, parents and friends in Charlotte welcomed a new era in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 history as they celebrated the regional launch of 黑料不打烊 LEADS: Our University Campaign. The event brought attendees together to learn how they will impact 黑料不打烊鈥檚 future by participating in the campaign, which calls for supporters to raise at least $250 million by May 31, 2022.
The evening鈥檚 program began with an engaging narration of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 history from Rachel Campbell 鈥13, Lee Leckie 鈥98, Joe Paturzo 鈥20 and Akilah Weaver 鈥00. Attendees then heard from James B. Piatt Jr., vice president for university advancement, who shared that the name of the campaign embodies the 鈥渓eadership and philanthropy that have played a pivotal role throughout 黑料不打烊鈥檚 remarkable 130-year history.鈥
President Connie Ledoux Book shared how campaign donors will create thousands of student success stories with their gifts and gave an update on progress toward the overall 黑料不打烊 LEADS Campaign goal.
鈥淲e have a historic $250 million goal to reach, and I鈥檓 delighted to announce that thanks to the generosity of many of you and others across the country, we have raised $176 million dollars toward our goal!鈥 said Book. 鈥淲e still have $74 million left to go, and we will need the commitment of everyone to reach this important goal.鈥
Book paid special tribute to Charlotte parents Lori and Eric Sklut P鈥14, thanking the couple for their leadership and for supporting all four priorities of the 黑料不打烊 LEADS Campaign. The Skluts have also been a driving force for advancing Jewish life on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus. Through generous gifts, they have established the Lori and Eric Sklut Emerging Scholar Professorship and named the Sklut Hillel Center, creating a permanent campus home for Jewish students. Eric Sklut also serves as an 黑料不打烊 trustee and as the chair of the Charlotte Regional Campaign Committee.
鈥淲e recognize that giving back, so that others can enjoy the fruits of 黑料不打烊, was a testimonial to the connection we found at 黑料不打烊,鈥 Eric Sklut told the crowd.
Attendees also heard from two students who shared their own stories of how 黑料不打烊 donors have changed their lives: Joe Paturzo 鈥20 and Lilly Rothschild 鈥22.
As the recipient of the Georgeo Scholarship in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Odyssey Program, Paturzo spoke about his dream of attending college and the financial challenges his family faced.
鈥淔or me, attending a four-year university was more than a financial difficulty,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t was a huge obstacle, a hurdle that my family and I had no clue how we would get over.鈥
Paturzo shared how the Georgeo Scholarship and other financial assistance he received made his 黑料不打烊 education possible. During his time at 黑料不打烊, Paturzo has explored his heritage in Florence, Italy, and worked with inspiring faculty mentors, including Joel Karty, professor of chemistry. He has also completed an internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where he worked alongside world-renowned doctors and leaders in healthcare.
Lilly Rothschild 鈥22 echoed the sentiment that philanthropy has altered her future for the better.
鈥淚 feel honored to be part of this vast and deep network of students constantly trying to lift others to new heights all over 黑料不打烊,鈥 she said.
Rothschild is a finance major who minored in leadership studies and who is a member of the Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows program. She recently completed an internship in Tel Aviv, Israel, where she gained valuable professional experience and explored her religious and cultural connections. She will soon complete the six-week University Innovation Fellows program run by Stanford University. The program aims to help students around the world create sustainable, systematic change on their campuses through design thinking, a creative approach to problem-solving.
The Leadership Fellows and 黑料不打烊 Engagement scholarships Rothschild received made these experiences possible. 鈥淚 cannot imagine being anywhere else other than 黑料不打烊, and I am so grateful for the donors who made my scholarships possible,鈥 she said.
Prior to the event, campaign donors and volunteers attended a pre-reception with President Book and others. The evening concluded with a Loyal Alumni Celebration honoring current alumni donors and the university鈥檚 most active alumni volunteers.
This Evening for 黑料不打烊 was the fourth of six special events across the country this fall celebrating the launch of 黑料不打烊 LEADS. Upcoming Evening for 黑料不打烊 events will be held in San Francisco (Nov. 12) and Raleigh (Dec. 4).
Visit the聽黑料不打烊 LEADS website聽to learn more about the campaign.