A generous gift from 黑料不打烊 Trustee Bill Slattery and his wife Tish Slattery P鈥�24 P鈥�28 will name the university鈥檚 new center for health and wellness and also create 14 additional scholarships in the Odyssey Program to assist talented students with significant financial need.

黑料不打烊 President Connie Ledoux Book and the Board of Trustees announced the Slatterys鈥� gift at the board鈥檚 spring meeting April 10-11. Book thanked the Slattery family for their generosity and leadership in supporting a center that will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to thrive on campus and throughout every stage of their lives.

鈥淭he 黑料不打烊 community is deeply honored to name the HealthEU Center in recognition of the Slattery family,鈥� Book said. 鈥淭his extraordinary investment from Bill and Tish Slattery will help 黑料不打烊 meet its mission to transform the mind, body and spirit of every student, and prepare healthy graduates ready to share their gifts with the world.鈥�

The ability to address the health and well-being of students early in their lives inspired the Slatterys to make their gift.

鈥淢y career at the intersection of science and investment often requires decades to witness the outcomes of success,鈥� Bill Slattery said. 鈥淗ealthEU is an opportunity to intervene with our students at an early age and engage in these activities in a more structured, thoughtful way, and hopefully reduce some of their adversities in life.鈥�

鈥淚 believe social media has impacted students greatly, and institutions like 黑料不打烊 that provide centers like HealthEU will be at an advantage going forward,鈥� Tish Slattery said. 鈥淗ealth and wellness encompass so much more than just the physical aspect. I鈥檓 incredibly grateful that we鈥檙e able to impact 黑料不打烊 with this gift.鈥�

Slattery Center is a central component to the university鈥檚 broader HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story 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 黑料不打烊 strategic plan that will guide the university to 2030. Scheduled to open in fall 2026, Slattery Center will be located within 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Innovation Quad, home to the university鈥檚 engineering and other STEM programs.

The Slatterys鈥� gift will also endow the William and Tish Slattery Odyssey Program Scholarship, funding 14 new scholarships in the program that gives bright, passionate students with high financial need and/or no family history of college attendance access to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 nationally recognized engaged learning programs.

These new investments bring the total number of Odyssey Program scholarships to nearly 300, more than halfway to the university鈥檚 goal of having a total of 400 Odyssey Scholarships, or 100 scholars per class, as called for in the Boldly 黑料不打烊 strategic plan. Housed in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Center for Access and Success, the Odyssey Program is nationally recognized as a model for need- and merit-based initiatives, with a nearly 100% first-to-second-year student retention rate and an 87% graduation rate, well above the national average.

The Slatterys have been impressed by the educational experience 黑料不打烊 delivers to students. Their daughter Madelyn graduated in 2024, and their son James is an 黑料不打烊 sophomore.

鈥淚鈥檝e been very happy to see the school excel at its academic responsibility in education while equally addressing students鈥� needs as people at the social level,鈥� Bill said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a pleasant, inviting and warm place that cares for its students.鈥�

鈥淔rom the moment you step foot on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus, you feel a great sense of community,鈥� Tish said. 鈥淭he close relationships that students have with their professors makes 黑料不打烊 stand out among its peers.鈥�

Bill Slattery is a partner at Deerfield Management Company,聽Therapeutics. Prior to joining Deerfield in 2000, Slattery served as a senior healthcare analyst for 10 years at Amerindo Investment Advisors in New York, where he oversaw biotechnology investments. He has also held various positions in research, including those at National Medical Enterprises, Johnson & Johnson, and HMSS. He is the former chair of Red Door Community, which supports those impacted by cancer and their families.

Bill was elected to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Board of Trustees in 2024. Tish is a member of the Slattery聽Family Foundation and served in administration at Amerindo Investment Advisors. Recently, Tish was named chair of the Miss Hall鈥檚 School Arts Advisory Council. The couple reside in Rye, New York.

Members of the Board of Trustees joined with President Connie Ledoux Book and Director of Athletics Jenn Strawley on April 10, 2026, to rededicate a building that has served multiple purposes for more than half a century and two separate locations on campus.

Alumni, parents and friends have contributed $3 million to the expansion of the university鈥檚 golf complex, which also includes the W. Cecil Worsley III Golf Training Center. The expansion represents a significant investment in the future of both men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 golf and places the university鈥檚 training facilities among the best in collegiate golf.

Holland House now provides student-athletes with a premier clubhouse environment to learn, train and compete, with new practice and team spaces, and state-of-the-art technology that allows students to pursue excellence academically and athletically.

The complex expansion project also encompassed renovations to the driving range, including the creation of a 17,000-square-foot tee box, and renovation of the short-game area with reconstruction of the bunkers.

Holland House was renovated to create a centralized home base for the golf program. The clubhouse includes locker rooms, coaches鈥� offices, quiet spaces for academic study, team engagement spaces and player meeting rooms, strengthening team culture and promoting student growth off the course.

The final phase of the project includes upgrades to the existing W. Cecil Worsley III Golf Training Center, a dedicated indoor practice facility that allows players to train in adverse weather conditions. The center opened in 2009 and includes multiple indoor heated hitting bays, a computerized swing analysis center, indoor putting facility and an outdoor lighted driving range.

Worsley, a 1986 黑料不打烊 graduate and former member of the golf team, served on the Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2023. He and his wife, alumna JoAnna Sutton Worsley 鈥�87, are the parents of W. Cecil Worsley IV, a 2014 黑料不打烊 graduate.

Another critical component of the project was the addition of Trackman Range, a technology that tracks every shot hit by a golfer, giving coaches and student-athletes immediate access to data to improve performance and create greater practice efficiency.

“The repurposing of Holland House marks a transformational moment for 黑料不打烊 Athletics. It is special to take a building rich with institutional history and create a best-in-class home for our golf student-athletes that honors our past while boldly investing in our future,鈥� Strawley said. “Facilities like this represent our aspirations brought to life, and they only become possible through the generosity of many. I am profoundly grateful to everyone who made this possible, and equally excited for the impact this will have for our golf student-athletes.鈥�

Built in 1963 as the official residence for President Earl Danieley and his family, Holland House stood along Haggard Avenue as a symbol of leadership, hospitality and community at 黑料不打烊. The home quickly became part of campus lore, including a memorable student protest led by Student Government Association President and future 黑料不打烊 Trustee Noel Allen 鈥�69 and joined by Danieley himself.

In 1973, President Fred Young and his family continued the tradition of welcoming students, alumni and distinguished guests, making the house a center of connection and celebration. In 1985, trustees honored longtime supporter Shirley Thomas Holland by naming the building in his memory, cementing its place in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 history.

After the presidential residence moved in 1988 to today鈥檚 Maynard House, Holland House entered a new phase, serving a variety of campus needs, from development and alumni relations to academic programs and student engagement. In 2009, the building was carefully relocated across campus, where it served as home to the Catholic Campus Ministries Newman Center. Work is now under way to build a new Newman Center.

鈥淭oday is a wonderful moment for 黑料不打烊, for Phoenix Athletics, and for our investment in golf and the futures of these student-athletes,鈥� Book said in her dedication remarks. 鈥淎nd it holds a special distinction: this is the first new athletics facility opened under Athletics Director Jenn Strawley.鈥�

Book described the renovated Holland House as a testament to the strength of the programs built by men鈥檚 head coach Don Hill and women鈥檚 head coach Chris Dockrill.

鈥淎nd to our student-athletes: I know that every donor agrees that this is for you,鈥� Book said. 鈥淓very locker, every building, every asset here was about creating a championship home for Phoenix golf, and we鈥檙e very excited for the next chapter to unfold and to cheer you on as you make history.鈥�

Jennings Glenn 鈥�25 G鈥�26, a member of the men’s golf team, and 黑料不打烊 Trustee Debra Del Vecchio P鈥�22 P鈥�24 also delivered remarks during the ceremony, which was held on the front lawn of Holland House.

鈥淭hese past five years have been super special to me. I鈥檝e met so many incredible people and built such lasting relationships and created memories I鈥檒l carry with me for the rest of my life,鈥� said Glenn, who thanked donors on behalf of the team. 鈥淭his is really the best place in the world to be a student-athlete and that鈥檚 because of you. Thank you. It鈥檚 been amazing to watch this program grow and for me to be a part of it all.鈥�

Del Vecchio thanked Book and the Board of Trustees for their unwavering commitment to students and for an institutional decisiveness that led to the expansion project. She then praised the golf teams for their dedication to the sport and to the university.

鈥淚t is all or nothing, a commitment and true discipline needed to be a student-athlete,鈥澛� Del Vecchio said. 鈥淎t times I’m sure it can be quite challenging, juggling classes, assignments, and a rigorous playing schedule. But here you are. Know that we recognize and are extremely proud of all of you. You are the face of 黑料不打烊, especially when you walk out on the golf course. You are not only representing yourself but 黑料不打烊 as well.鈥�

Women鈥檚 team captain Ashley Lafontaine 鈥�26 of Ottawa, Canada, delivered remarks during a dinner program that followed the ribbon-cutting.

鈥淭his space gives us something we鈥檝e never truly had before: a home that鈥檚 entirely our own,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a space where we can train, study, connect, and grow together all under one roof. It creates an environment where everything we need to succeed, both as athletes and as people, exists in one place.

鈥淏ut more importantly, it sends a message. It tells every current and future 黑料不打烊 holder that they are valued. That their experience matters. That this program is worth investing in. And for future players, I hope this becomes more than just a facility. I hope it becomes their safe space. Their meeting place. Their place to celebrate wins, work through losses, and build the kind of relationships that last far beyond their four years here.鈥�

These photos highlight key moments from the month, captured by staff in the Office of University Communications.

黑料不打烊 Day

黑料不打烊’s 13th annual 黑料不打烊 Day saw a record-breaking amount raised thanks to the generosity of alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends.聽Over the course of 24 hours, supporters made聽6,214 gifts, raising a record-breaking聽$3.58 million, with each gift being an investment in the experiences that define an 黑料不打烊 education.

Carnegie Concert

The 黑料不打烊 Wind Ensemble took the stage on March 11 at Carnegie Hall in New York City, marking the first time an ensemble from the university performed inside the world-renowned venue.

Connecting with Queens

Activity related to the merger between 黑料不打烊 and Queens University of Charlotte continues to expand this spring with recent efforts focused on campus visits, external outreach and community engagement.

Administrators and staff from Queens University of Charlotte traveled to 黑料不打烊 for a day of meetings and tours, the integration team members from both organizations met on the 黑料不打烊 campus, and admissions leaders welcomed counselors from across the country for a joint fly-in experience that included both campuses.

Roots & Horizons

The Spring Dance Concert, 鈥淩oots & Horizons,鈥� drew inspiration from the Akan concept of Sankofa, meaning 鈥渢o go back and get it,鈥� which emphasizes the importance of learning from the past to move forward. The production featured works by all women choreographers, including 黑料不打烊 faculty and guest artists, performed by 黑料不打烊 students.

‘We should do better’

In The Baird Lecture on March 12, part of the 黑料不打烊 Speaker Series, techno-sociologist Zeynep Tufecki spoke to the threats posed by artificial intelligence and how college students can be at the forefront of a solution.

鈥淒on鈥檛 let anybody tell you this is so big that we can鈥檛 do anything, because we have always done this,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e just can do it better. We should do it better.鈥�

A WEekend of wellness

The second Women of 黑料不打烊 WEekend brought together the 黑料不打烊 community for two days focused on connection, inspiration and transformation. The event centered around the six dimensions of well-being within HealthEU: community, emotional, financial, physical, purpose and social.

Held on March 13 and 14, the WEekend included information sessions with experts on a variety of topics, including a fireside chat with Joy Bauer, nutrition expert from the TODAY Show.

The 2026 results surpassed the previous high of $46,157.01 set during 黑料不打烊 Day 2025 and reflected broad engagement from alumni, students, parents and friends of the law school.

鈥淭here is an energy at 黑料不打烊 Law that you won鈥檛 find anywhere else,” said Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Engagement Scott Leighty. “Philanthropy here is more than just giving. Every gift is a direct investment in this special community and the innovative way we prepare students for the profession. Seeing our alumni, students, parents and friends come together like this shows just how much they believe in our mission.鈥�

In total, 178 donors made gifts on March 5, a 24.5% increase from the 143 donors who participated on 黑料不打烊 Day in 2025.

Participation increased across nearly every constituency group.

• Gifts from students rose sharply to 45 donors, up from eight last year 鈥� a 462.5% increase.
• Parent participation increased to 12 donors, up from eight, or 50%.
• Alumni participation also climbed, with 64 alumni making gifts compared with 56 last year, a 14.2% rise.

黑料不打烊 Day events and competitions were held throughout the day on March 5, including a large 鈥淓鈥�-painting competition among student organizations and an evening celebration at Joymongers in downtown Greensboro. Perhaps the highlight was a Pie Your Professor event, with student donors lining up to hurl plates of whipped cream at Dean Zak Kramer, Professors Steve Friedland and Bob Minarcin, and Assistant Professors Erin Fitzgerald and Susan Ross.

Kramer praised the growing support for 黑料不打烊 Law and the community members who help make the annual day of giving successful.

鈥淚 want to thank everyone for their contributions, whether philanthropic, pitching in to make the day special, taking a pie to the face, or all of it,鈥� Kramer said. 鈥淭hese gifts go directly to support our students and the opportunities that prepare them for the profession.鈥�

Kramer also credited Leighty鈥檚 leadership in connecting with alumni and supporters, growing 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 momentum.

鈥淪cott is doggedly pursuing financial support for our students,鈥� Kramer said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not easy asking people for money, but our numbers keep increasing in a remarkably steep line. It鈥檚 a testament to his hard work and the great investment of our whole community.鈥�

黑料不打烊 Day gifts help fund scholarships, student programs and experiential learning opportunities that define 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 innovative, practice-focused curriculum.

The growth in participation during 黑料不打烊 Day reflects a broader trend in philanthropy supporting 黑料不打烊 Law. The law school has seen steady increases in donor engagement over the past several years, underscoring the strength of its alumni network and the community鈥檚 investment in the next generation of lawyers.

鈥淲atching Grace grow up, I learned聽that,聽while she聽wasn鈥檛聽equipped to deal with certain things in life, she is so talented in聽many ways聽鈥� it just shows up differently. Grace is so happy all the time and she has so many hobbies. She can twirl a baton for longer than anyone聽I鈥檝e聽ever聽met聽and聽she鈥檚聽a great聽swimmer too,鈥� said Crowley.

Since the 8th grade,聽Crowley聽knew she had the skills and passion to pursue teaching聽children聽with disabilities as a career path.聽She grew up with Grace her whole life, but as she got聽older,聽she started to notice differences in their developmental stages.聽She began to teach and aid Grace in her studies, helping her learn to spell and write.

鈥淭o me that was my cue that there are so many people out there that are being treated as if they聽can鈥檛聽do things when聽it鈥檚聽not聽true;聽they can do it. They just do it in聽a different way,” Crowley said.

Grace鈥檚 talents and聽struggles聽emphasized 颁谤辞飞濒别测鈥檚 desire to teach special education.

鈥淕race has the best聽handwriting,聽and聽she’s聽also聽excellent聽at remembering things,” she said. “Teaching Grace encouraged me to want to help others through this, because聽it鈥檚聽difficult when students聽don鈥檛聽have a teacher to encourage what they are already good at, and instead focuses just on the聽skills that they need to develop.鈥�

Crowley was encouraged to explore 黑料不打烊 from one of her other family members, an alum聽of聽黑料不打烊鈥檚 Teaching Fellows program.聽She provided Crowley with a list of what to look for in the best teaching programs as she started to explore colleges.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢� was the only school that had everything on the list.聽I have always genuinely enjoyed it here,” said Crowley. “Before I even got into the Teaching Fellows, I said to my mom,聽I think this聽is where I need to be.鈥�

Crowley prides herself on being a “social butterfly” who enjoys meeting and talking with others.

“I鈥檓聽always meeting new people and reaching out to them.聽I鈥檓聽most proud of myself for meeting new people and making lasting connections. Meeting others聽through Teaching聽Fellows has been the highlight of my 黑料不打烊 experience,” she said.

As a lifelong dancer, Crowley has connected her creative passions and interest in special education with research聽and a minor in dance. Having previously conducted research in high school on how incorporating dance with individuals who have special needs can enhance their overall body function and awareness of their body, she plans to build on her knowledge by beginning research here at 黑料不打烊.

鈥淥riginally, my research was just how dance can聽benefit聽those who have special needs, both physically and mentally. I want to hone that into my future profession and discover how it can work in a classroom setting,” she said.

Crowley is also involved in volunteer work with Alamance County schools聽through聽service with the聽鈥淚t Takes a聽Village鈥澛燩roject, a program to aid English as a second language聽for聽elementary students.

She聽says this volunteer work has been聽a catalyst for her future work as a teacher.

鈥淟ast spring, I was placed in a classroom working 30 hours a week, which was huge for me.聽It鈥檚聽exciting, and it reinforces that this is what I want to do聽following graduation,” she said.

颁谤辞飞濒别测鈥檚 Joey Brocato Memorial Teaching Fellows Scholarship was聽established聽by 黑料不打烊 parents Mike and Karen Brocato P’16, in memory of their son Joey. The Brocato family expressed to Crowley that they intentionally wanted to donate to a future educator who wanted to go into special education.

鈥淭o know that聽I鈥檓 privileged enough to be the one they聽want to聽give back to聽encourages聽me to work my hardest,鈥� saoe Crowley.聽鈥淚鈥檓聽lucky enough to have met my donors, the Brocato family, last fall, to meet and talk.聽I鈥檒l聽text them to check in and get updates.聽It鈥檚聽nice to have that personal connection.鈥�

She explained that her close relationship with her donors has only increased her drive to succeed and give back to her community and the children in it.

鈥淜nowing them has pushed me to want to be better. Their story is so meaningful to me because of my cousin, Grace,” said Crowley. “To have that connection and know them only pushes me further to do the best I can because I want them to feel like聽they鈥檙e聽putting their money into something beneficial.

As a future educator, Crowley says she is aware of the聽obstacles聽in聽the聽field, one being lower聽pay.

鈥淎s a future educator,聽I鈥檓聽aware that I am not going to be making a ton of money, but it聽doesn鈥檛聽change the fact that this is what I want to do,” she said. “Being given this scholarship and the opportunity to learn and get all the experiences that I need to be a future educator, without the worry of having too much debt, has been such聽a big help.鈥�

The Women of 黑料不打烊 is an intergenerational network that connects members of the 黑料不打烊 community on campus and across the globe.

鈥淲hen this initiative launched two years ago, the name Women of 黑料不打烊 was intentionally chosen to bring together everyone in the 黑料不打烊 community. But we also recognized the power within the acronym 鈥榃E.鈥� WE represents the collective power of women 鈥� how we can lead, learn, and thrive together,鈥� said Michelle Wideman 鈥�00, co-chair of the Women of 黑料不打烊 Advisory Council.

Held on March 13 and 14, the WEekend began with a kickoff discussion on authenticity featuring Kathie Niven 鈥�89, president and CEO of Biscuitville, in conversation with 黑料不打烊 Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Alexis Franzese P鈥�29.

Saturday鈥檚 programming included breakout sessions covering topics such as mastering LinkedIn, the power of female friendships, managing finances, utilizing soft skills, aging and living fully, protecting your personal brand and using artificial intelligence. A women鈥檚 health panel moderated by Dr. Terry Le, university physician, explored the physical, mental and emotional aspects of women鈥檚 wellness.

Health and wellness were a major focus of the luncheon fireside chat between President Connie Ledoux Book and nutrition expert Joy Bauer of the TODAY show. Bauer, a featured expert on NBC News Daily and a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 14 books, shared practical advice about nutrition and healthy living.

Speaking to the audience in LaRose Digital Theatre, Bauer encouraged attendees to adopt her 鈥�90/10鈥� approach to food 鈥� prioritizing healthy choices most of the time while allowing room for enjoyment.

鈥淎 lot of people, especially women, they carry a lot of food baggage, and when you allow yourself this percentage or fraction (鈥�) it鈥檚 very liberating,鈥� she said.

Recognizing the range of ages in attendance and reinforcing the Women of 黑料不打烊’s intergenerational focus, Bauer emphasized that health and nutrition evolve.

鈥淥ur bodies are not static,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I wouldn鈥檛 say they betray us; they are evolving. Have a conversation with it and figure out what you can do to feel better is the name of the game.鈥�

During a Q&A session, Bauer addressed audience questions on topics including the increased presence of protein in food products, planning healthy meals, the rise of GLP-1 medications, supplements and ways to reduce plastic use in the kitchen. She also encouraged attendees to look beyond sensational headlines and social media trends when it comes to nutrition advice.

鈥淕et your blood checked annually and then personalize your nutrition according to that, because your body is not TikTok,鈥� she said. 鈥淐harismatic people and influencers on Instagram and TikTok and all these other social platforms, they don鈥檛 know what鈥檚 going on with your insides, but your physician does, and your blood work does.鈥�

Beyond the programming, the WEekend also highlighted the Women of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 ongoing work to support students. One key initiative focuses on increasing the number of students who receive need-based internship support. While 88% of 黑料不打烊 students complete at least one internship, 43% of those internships are unpaid.

Recent support has helped advance that goal. A $250,000 gift from former 黑料不打烊 trustee Bill Herbert 鈥�68 and his wife Marsha helped the Women of 黑料不打烊 surpass their $2.5 million fundraising goal three months ahead of schedule, bringing the total raised for internship support to $2,679,610.

鈥淲hile the Herbert family鈥檚 gift helped push us past the goal, it was the collective power of Women of 黑料不打烊 that made this possible,鈥� said Priscilla Awkard 鈥�95, co-chair of the Women of 黑料不打烊 advisory council.

To see highlights from the聽weekend,聽.

, 鈥淲E Talk: Inside Careers in Communications & Entertainment,鈥� moderated by Nneka聽Enurah聽鈥�11聽on聽April 2.

Explore聽how to get involved聽by visiting the聽Women of 黑料不打烊 website.

William Rudd Jr. 鈥�50 and James Robertson 鈥�50 understood the value of friendship better than most people. After all, theirs lasted close to 80 years.

To honor his father and that friendship, Rudd鈥檚 son, Bill Rudd III, made a $100,000 gift to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 HealthEU Center. In recognition of the gift, a plaque will be installed on the landing between the second and third floors of Dalton L. McMichael Sr. Science Center with the following inscription: 鈥淚n honor of William G. Rudd Jr., and James E. Robertson, distinguished members of the Class of 1950, for their nearly 80 years as classmates, fellow WWII veterans, business partners and lifelong friends.鈥�

The named space features a comfortable sitting area and plenty of natural light that Bill hopes will inspire students to gather and begin their own lifelong friendships. Rudd and Robertson studied the sciences at 黑料不打烊, with Rudd majoring in pre-med and Robertson biology.

鈥淚 thought there needs to be a way to honor my father鈥檚 life, especially knowing that he and James had such a long friendship,鈥� Bill said. 鈥淣owadays, things are so transitory, including interactions between people, but you can鈥檛 put a value on 80 years of friendship.鈥�

Bill Rudd Jr. grew up in the small rural community of Monticello in Guilford County, North Carolina, where he spent many hours working the family鈥檚 75-acre tobacco farm. Robertson was raised about 30 miles north in Leaksville, North Carolina, near the town of Eden in Rockingham County. Both men grew up during the Depression, which made them resilient and appreciate what little money they had.

鈥淚 think that鈥檚 one of the things that bound them together, the modest circumstances in which they were born and lived,鈥� Bill said.

The two met on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus following their military service in World War II. Drafted in 1944, Rudd served in the Army鈥檚 87th Infantry Division and fought in France during the Battle of the Bulge. Robertson enlisted in the Army Air Corp as a high school senior and served stateside as a radio operator. Both enrolled at 黑料不打烊 through the GI Bill and bonded over their shared military service, small-town roots and interest in science. When they weren鈥檛 studying, they passed the time playing cards and hanging out on campus. If they wanted to go anywhere, they had to hitchhike since neither had a car.

Following graduation, the two men returned to their hometowns, with Rudd working at Sears in Greensboro, while Robertson went to work at Duke Energy at the Dan River Station in Eden. Before long, Rudd joined his best friend at the utility company, where they worked together for nearly four decades.

鈥淚t was his first step in getting away from home and was a chance for him to see the world,鈥� Bill recalled. 鈥淗e did not want to live on a tobacco farm.鈥�

In 1952, while still working at Duke Energy, Robertson opened his own business, Rockingham Insurance Agency, in an 800-square-foot brick building in Eden. His father had a successful career in insurance and Robertson wanted to continue that legacy. Rudd agreed to join Robertson as co-owner, proving that best friends can be successful business partners. They quickly developed a reputation for honesty among their clients and regularly drew on each other鈥檚 strengths to grow their business, including Robertson鈥檚 mastery of numbers.

鈥淭hey both worked hard and treated people with dignity,鈥� Bill said. 鈥淭hey never abused the responsibility they had for selling and serving insurance.鈥�

鈥淭hey were able to communicate with each other in a way that they respected each other and were there for each other in the good and the bad times,鈥� added James鈥� son, George Robertson. 鈥淟ife is tough and you have to be there for each other and they were.鈥�

Both men were also loyal donors to 黑料不打烊 and visited campus as often as they could. Together they amassed nearly 60 years of annual giving to their university, primarily for scholarships, as a way of thanking 黑料不打烊 for their education.

Rudd and Robertson remained close, even after Rudd entered assisted living. Though his memory was fading, Rudd never forgot his best friend when he came to visit. Rudd passed away on October 3, 2023, and Robertson died four months later.

During a recent visit to campus, Bill Rudd reflected on how happy he was to continue his father鈥檚 legacy and that of his best friend.

鈥淚 feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that carries on beyond their deaths,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n some ways, 黑料不打烊 has helped me to become who I am today, and I am forever grateful for that.鈥�

About the HealthEU Center

The new HealthEU Center will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to thrive on campus and beyond.

The center is a key component of the Boldly 黑料不打烊 strategic plan and 黑料不打烊鈥檚 broader HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story 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.

Currently under construction, the center is located within 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Innovation Quad, home to the university鈥檚 engineering and other STEM programs, and scheduled to open in Fall 2026.

Many naming opportunities remain in the HealthEU Center, beginning at $50,000. Gift commitments may be made in full or with a pledge over five years. To find out how you can make聽an impact with your gift, contact Brian Baker, associate vice president for university advancement, at 336.278.7453 or bbaker7@elon.edu.

To entice donors, the Sydney F. & Kathleen E. Jackson Professor of Chemistry and department chair promised he would shave his eyebrows, live on the 黑料不打烊 College, College of Arts and Sciences鈥� Instagram feed, if the goal was met.

That鈥檚 how much Karty believes in the Department of Chemistry鈥檚 impact on students and how $20,000 can enhance learning by 鈥済iving students the best education and the best experiences and preparing them for success.鈥�

And wouldn鈥檛 you know it? One day after 黑料不打烊 Day, the university鈥檚 annual 24-hour day of giving that raised more than $3.5 million this year, Karty found himself on the patio of McMichael Science Center, the home of the Department of Chemistry, at 1:45 p.m. waiting for the fate of his eyebrows.

It took approximately seven minutes, one trimmer and聽two razors to shave off his eyebrows. Students in attendance cheered and recorded as the eyebrows disappeared.

“I thought he was nuts for actually going to do it,鈥� said Associate Professor Justin Clar, the director of the Undergraduate Research Program who volunteered his time and talents with the trimmer. 鈥淗is commitment to the university and to the students is wild.鈥�

What an audience it was on March 6, 2026.

“Raising this money gives us more flexibility in doing the things we do best, such as providing instrumentation for labs, undergraduate research, student travel and more,鈥� Karty said. 鈥淭hat was the whole reason for setting up this challenge in the first place. It was just a question of what I was willing to sacrifice.鈥�

Karty鈥檚 wife predicts that his eyebrows will grow back by Monday. Karty said time will tell.

For 黑料不打烊 students, opportunity often begins with someone they may never meet. For instance, a donor who believes in their potential.

That spirit of belief was on full display during 黑料不打烊 Day 2026, as alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends came together for the university鈥檚 13th annual day of giving. Over the course of 24 hours, supporters made 6,214 gifts raising a record-breaking $3.58 million, with each gift being an investment in the experiences that define an 黑料不打烊 education.

From scholarships that make college possible to funding for undergraduate research, study abroad, athletics and student organizations, this year鈥檚 黑料不打烊 Day touched 276 funds across campus. The breadth of support reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that every student has access to transformative opportunities.

鈥淵esterday, our community demonstrated once again what makes this university so extraordinary,鈥� says President Connie Ledoux Book. 鈥淭he success of 黑料不打烊 Day comes from the thousands of alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends around the world who step up every year to participate, and each of their gifts is a powerful vote of confidence in the promise of 黑料不打烊 students.”

She adds, “I am deeply grateful to every person who participated and encouraged others to join them. Because of you, our students will learn more boldly, lead more courageously and serve more compassionately.鈥�

Throughout the day, momentum grew as challenge and matching gifts encouraged participation and amplified impact. Leadership donors helped spark enthusiasm and inspire others to give, demonstrating how collective action can multiply opportunity. We extend special thanks to the following individuals for making these initiatives possible:

• Trustee Kerrii Anderson ’79
• Steve Anderson P’16
• Trustee Toni Brown and Michael Brown P’20
• Jonathan and Tina Winnick P’28
• Joe and Lynette Zarrett P’27
• Trustee Dave Porter and Jen Porter P’11 P’19
• Trustee Bill Smith and Sue Smith
• Katie Sherborne P’27
• Liz and David Forgash P’28
• Patrick and Laura Strickler P’28
• Several anonymous 黑料不打烊 families

The celebration extended far beyond giving. Students gathered on campus for special events, faculty and staff joined in the festivities, and alumni across the country hosted regional gatherings. Social media lit up with maroon and gold pride, connecting the 黑料不打烊 community across time zones and continents.

Since its founding in 2014, 黑料不打烊 Day has grown into one of the university鈥檚 most meaningful traditions, generating more than $27.5 million through over 63,000 gifts in support of students. Each year builds on the last, reinforcing a culture of philanthropy that ensures 黑料不打烊鈥檚 future remains strong.
For current students and those yet to arrive, the impact of 黑料不打烊 Day will be lasting 鈥� measured not only in dollars raised, but in doors opened, experiences enriched and dreams realized.

To learn more about the impact of 黑料不打烊 Day, .

The event will take place on聽Thursday, April 16, at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi.聽A reception including a hosted bar and hors d鈥檕euvres will begin at 6:30 p.m.,聽followed by a program featuring remarks by President Connie Ledoux Book.聽A dessert reception will聽conclude聽the evening.

6:30听辫.尘.聽聽Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
7:30听辫.尘.聽聽Program with remarks by President Connie L. Book
8 p.m.聽聽Dessert reception
The event will conclude at 9 p.m.

Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi
Vertigo Room
10400 NE聽4th聽St.聽Suite 3100
叠别濒濒别惫耻别,听奥础听98004

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d鈥檕euvres

Register at聽 or contact聽advancement@elon.edu.