Alumni, parents and friends gathered at The Pavilion at the Angus Barn on Wednesday, Dec. 4, to celebrate the historic 黑料不打烊 LEADS fundraising campaign in their region.
A record number of alumni, parents and friends came together in Raleigh to celebrate the regional launch of 黑料不打烊 LEADS: Our University Campaign at The Pavilion at the Angus Barn. Adorned with holiday decorations, the venue provided a beautiful backdrop for the special evening.
The Angus Barn has deep roots in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 history, as it was founded by the Eure family, including the late Thad Eure. Eure was an 黑料不打烊 trustee and coined the phrase 鈥淟ong Live 黑料不打烊!鈥 which now stands as a charge to 黑料不打烊 graduates as they enter the ranks of alumni.
The Evening for 黑料不打烊 brought members of the 黑料不打烊 community together and encouraged attendees to find their role in the life-changing campaign, which calls for supporters to raise $250 million by May 31, 2022.
President Connie Ledoux Book welcomed the Raleigh crowd, sharing that donors have an impact on current and future students as their 黑料不打烊 education prepares them to be graduates the world needs. 鈥淲e educate leaders who share their talents and their hearts with the world, and we know that leadership, vision, and hard work are critical ingredients in advancing change,鈥 Book said.
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 Jada Graves 鈥20.
As the recipient of the Georgeo Scholarship in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Odyssey Program, Paturzo shared his dream of attending college despite 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 spoke about his gratitude for the donors who have 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. He also completed an internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where he worked alongside world-renowned doctors and leaders in health care.
Following his graduation next May, Paturzo will rejoin his team at Johns Hopkins to continue their important work.
Jada Graves 鈥20 plays on the 黑料不打烊 women鈥檚 basketball team. During her first two years at 黑料不打烊, the team won back-to-back CAA Championships and advanced to the NCAA tournament.
Following these successes, Graves suffered an injury that prevented her from stepping foot onto the court during her junior year. Graves overcame adversity and is captain of the team this year.
Graves spoke about an important mentor in her life, Coach Charlotte Smith. 鈥淐oach Smith not only coaches me but also mentors me and plays a mother role in my life,” Graves said. “She is genuine and loving. And she has molded me into becoming a leader.鈥
Graves notes that she is grateful for the scholarships that made her 黑料不打烊 education and experiences possible.
黑料不打烊 Trustee Kebbler Williams 鈥98 shared why she chooses to partner with, advocate for and invest in 黑料不打烊. 鈥淚 could talk about how a stronger university ultimately makes my degree have more value,” Williams said. “I could talk about the wonderful life-changing experiences at 黑料不打烊 that a poor girl from a single-parent home in rural N.C. didn鈥檛 even know existed. I could talk about how my professors challenged me to be better than or bigger than.鈥
However, while these reasons have impacted Williams, she notes nine primary reasons she supports an 黑料不打烊 education: her three nephews, two nieces, two godsons, one goddaughter and her 15-month-old son. 鈥淚 recognize that there are those who came before me who paved the way for me, and since there really is no way I can pay them back, I must be the example set for them and pay it forward,鈥 Williams said.
Attendees also heard from Jim Piatt, vice president for university advancement, and enjoyed a moving performance by junior music theatre major Sidney Wilson ’21.
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 last of six special events across the country this fall celebrating the launch of 黑料不打烊 LEADS. Spring Evening for 黑料不打烊 events will be held in Baltimore (March 23) and Tampa (March 31). Additional dates and locations will be announced soon.
To date, donors have contributed $178 million toward the $250 million campaign goal.
Visit the聽黑料不打烊 LEADS website聽to learn more about the campaign and how you can play a role in its success.