Here we learn, here we grow.聽
Every day there鈥檚 more to know.聽
We are thinkers, we are strong,
And at Roberts we belong.
Dream big, shine bright, as a Phoenix we take flight.
Side by side, here we say, we can learn in our own way.聽
This is our school, this is our day.
We are Roberts, hip hip hooray!

Such was the energy and emotion on display at an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频, a new elementary school made possible through a transformational gift to the university by a Florida couple that has made the education of children with dyslexia the focus of their philanthropy.

The school was established in 2025 by the generosity of Marjorie and Hal Roberts, who witnessed firsthand the transformative power a multisensory approach to reading education can have for children with dyslexia. Their gift supports both the Roberts Academy and the Roberts Center for Dyslexia and Engaged Learning within 麻豆视频鈥檚 Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education.

The Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频 is the fourth private school established by the couple, joining , , and in a network of programs committed to the advancement of education for children with dyslexia and related conditions.

The school opened this fall in a temporary location on Trollinger Avenue for third and fourth graders. Plans are unforlding for a new 30,000-square-foot building that will eventually host students in the first through sixth grade. Roberts Academy teachers use the Orton-Gillingham method of instruction, considered one of the most effective approaches to helping students develop strategies for overcoming their reading difficulties.

The ribbon-cutting on Oct. 2, 2026, featured an invocation by the Rev. Kirstin Boswell, 麻豆视频鈥檚 chaplain, followed with remarks of reflection and gratitude by:

• 麻豆视频 President Connie Ledoux Book
• Philanthropist Marjie Roberts
• Ann Bullock, dean of the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education
• Alicia Tate, acting director of the Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频
• Tait Arend, senior philanthropic adviser at 麻豆视频

Book recounted for those in attendance how 麻豆视频 made a promise to children with dyslexia that a learning difference would not be a limitation – and a promise to parents that they would not be alone in their journey to understand their children鈥檚 learning needs. Book then delivered a charge to the students seated before her.

鈥淚 want you to know that 麻豆视频 is a Hebrew word for 鈥榦ak,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 unique about oak trees is they grow the best in groves, and their root systems connect, and they become stronger as a team of trees. I charge you, as little Phoenix, to act like a grove of oak trees and to support each other and to help each other be successful as classmates.鈥�

In her own remarks, Marjie Roberts thanked parents for placing their trust in 麻豆视频 and the Roberts Academy.

鈥淭his academy has the ability to restart the educational experience of young students and make the experience successful and rewarding,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t will rebuild their self confidence, enrich their minds and be a source of pride. It will change the lives of students by setting them on a trajectory of achievement and success.

鈥淭his is a celebration of what the academy will mean for the 16 children who are now enrolled, what it will mean for their families, and to the thousands of others who will follow.鈥�

This is a celebration of what the academy will mean for the 16 children who are now enrolled, what it will mean for their families, and to the thousands of others who will follow.

– Philanthropist Marjorie Roberts

Tate introduced members of the Roberts Academy faculty and staff and Arend thanked members of the implementation team that worked to launch the academy, with Bullock serving as host and emcee of the afternoon program in the parking lot of Trollinger House.

And then there was the student cheer and the presentation of a personalized gift to the Roberts family: framed artwork featuring paper hearts with the names of each child who is part of the charter class of students.

鈥淭o our first families, thank you for believing in our school before the school even existed,鈥� Arend said. 鈥淵ou all believed in us not only before the first stapler was purchased, but before the first staple was purchased. You trusted us with the children you love more than anything. And while there will be many, many children who walk through those doors, there will only ever be one first day, and there will only ever be these first 16 students.鈥�

Jackson Cooper, assistant professor of arts administration in 麻豆视频 College, the College of Arts and Sciences, has published a practical guide co-authored with governance expert Caitlin Pontrella that reframes board service and volunteerism as a powerful driver of change and leadership.

Released Oct. 5 by Wiley & Sons and the global brand, the book is a beginner鈥檚 guide to understanding how nonprofit boards operate, create change and impact their communities through the full arc of governance work: roles/responsibilities, board recruitment and onboarding, fundraising activation and risk management. Cooper draws from his range of experience serving on boards and government commissions in North Carolina, New York, and Washington State, most recently as a political appointee and Advocacy Chair for the Washington State Arts Commission and President of the Board of Directors for ARCADE (Architecture and Design) magazine.

“Most people join a board because they care about a mission, and then spend their first two years just trying to figure out what they’re allowed to do,” Cooper says. “We wanted a book that gets out of the way of that and gets people to the part where they can actually drive change.”

Cooper’s own path to the project runs through more than 15 years as a nonprofit executive and fundraising strategist, including roles as executive director of the nonprofit film archive and distributor the American Genre Film Archive, fundraising leadership roles at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Mary’s Place, the Arboretum Foundation, Friends of Waterfront Park Seattle as well as founding Artful Living Consulting. He鈥檚 spoken on boards and fundraising for the League of American Orchestras and聽 Theatre Communications Group conferences. He’s also working on a book on sustainable fundraising and one on Shakespeare in movies, and published the children’s book “A Kids Book 麻豆视频 Kindness” in 2025.

“The book is a shared curriculum in building community,” Cooper said. “All types of boards have an immense responsibility to use their role to be a catalyst for change. We hope that this book provides the first step in that journey.鈥�

“Nonprofit Boards For Dummies” is available now from and

麻豆视频 will host 鈥淯nited in Purpose鈥� on Thursday, Nov. 5, bringing together alumni, parents and friends of 麻豆视频 and Queens University of Charlotte for an evening of connection and community.

The event will be held at Urban Garden in Charlotte and begin at 6:30 p.m. with a hosted reception featuring hors d鈥檕euvres. Guests will gather at 7:30 p.m. for a special program featuring remarks from 麻豆视频 President Connie Ledoux Book. A dessert reception will follow the program and conclude the evening. Business attire is requested.

United in Purpose
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026
6:30 p.m. 鈥� Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
7:30 p.m. 鈥� Program
Dessert reception to follow until 9 p.m.

Urban Garden
150 N. College St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

Register at or contact advancement@elon.edu.

The $500,000 contribution from Trustee Vicky Hunt and Sam Hunt will fund strategic priorities in athletics, continuing a tradition of generous philanthropy at 麻豆视频 that spans more than three decades.

The Burlington, North Carolina, couple said they are proud to invest in and the success of student-athletes, both in the classroom and in competition. Their recent gift is an effort to continue advancing Phoenix athletics under the leadership of Director of Athletics Jenn Stawley.

鈥淲e believe in the value of 麻豆视频 athletics and its positive impact on the lives of our student-athletes,鈥� the Hunts said.聽鈥淯nder Jenn鈥檚 leadership,聽the vision and plan established for athletics has elevated our program. Our plans are to continue supporting President Connie Book, Jenn Strawley and 麻豆视频 in every way we can!鈥�

Strawley thanked the Hunts for believing in the vision for 麻豆视频 athletics.

鈥淚 am deeply grateful to Sam and Vicky for their long-time support of 麻豆视频 athletics,鈥� Strawley said. 鈥淭heir generosity has allowed countless student-athletes to thrive both athletically and academically. I also appreciate the trust and belief they鈥檝e shown in our vision. Their generous support of the Athletic Director鈥檚 Excellence Fund advances our priorities and continues to elevate 麻豆视频 athletics.鈥�

The impact of Vicky and Sam Hunt鈥檚 philanthropy can be seen across 麻豆视频鈥檚 campus and in the accomplishments of outstanding students.

The couple are among the university鈥檚 most generous and loyal donors, making gifts to name Hunt Atrium, a dynamic and spacious entry point to Founders Hall in the Innovation Quad, featuring open collaboration spaces and assembly areas, tiered bench seating and space for group events, guest speakers and receptions. Their gift to the IQ also endowed the Sam and Vicky Hunt Business Fellows Scholarship for top students in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.

The Hunts also contributed $1 million to name Phoenix Atrium in Slattery Center, 麻豆视频鈥檚 future health and wellness hub, and to provide additional funding for the Sam and Vicky Hunt Odyssey Scholarship, which the couple endowed in 2017 to assist students with significant financial need, including first-generation college students.

In addition to scholarships, the Hunts have contributed generously to the Phoenix Club and 麻豆视频 Academy, the university鈥檚 successful college access and success program, and advanced 麻豆视频鈥檚 iconic campus with gifts to Hunt Softball Park, Schar Center and . The couple have also made a $3 million estate gift that in the future will create an endowment to fund scholarships.

Sam Hunt is the retired chairman and CEO of Atlas Lighting Products and Hunt Electric Supply Company in Burlington. He served four terms in the N.C. House of Representatives before being named Transportation Secretary in 1993. He went on to serve as President and Chairman of the N.C. Railroad from 1996-2002. In addition to her role in their businesses, Vicky Hunt has served on 麻豆视频鈥檚 Board of Trustees since 1997 and is actively involved with charitable work in her community.

Formerly known as Summer in the Village, Summer Launch prepares students for their incoming grade-level curriculum while creating opportunities to build relationships and confidence before returning to the classroom.

Two Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) teachers led each classroom, all of whom had previously worked with the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project, and volunteers supported them. This additional support allowed students to work in smaller groups and receive individualized attention throughout the program.

For one volunteer, Summer Launch offered the chance to return to a program that had been part of his own childhood. Diego Aguilar Hernandez grew up attending Big Village tutoring sessions. Now a rising senior in high school, he has returned to his roots, working alongside his former fourth-grade teacher, Ashley Cook, this summer.

鈥淪ummer Launch gave me the opportunity to build relationships with the students while helping them grow academically,鈥� said Hernandez. 鈥淚t was really rewarding seeing their progress and confidence grow throughout the two weeks, and I鈥檓 grateful I got to be part of their experience.鈥�

Cook has long supported the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project in the mission to uplift students, and is a testament to how ABSS teachers are key to the program’s success. Her commitment to the classroom proves why students such as Hernandez have become eager to give back.

“Being a part of the Village Project is an experience I hold near and dear to my heart. I鈥檝e loved being the Andrews Elementary liaison, but teaching this diverse group of ABSS students was such a special treat,” said Cook. “The genuine love and appreciation shown by the students and their families was palpable 鈥� as teachers, we know when that is real! It鈥檚 a beautiful testament to the incredible, often unseen hard work that Laura and Keely put into fundraising and building partnerships so that our Title I students can have these amazing opportunities.鈥�

Another source of dedication within the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project is Annabelle Jones, who co-leads instruction for the Village鈥檚 STEM program, IGNITE, formerly known as Engineering in the Village.

鈥淎fter having the opportunity to help lead with Engineering in the Village, when I saw the opportunity to be a part of the 麻豆视频 Village Summer Launch, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” said Jones. “Being connected with opportunities from 麻豆视频 is so special to me. I received my K-12 AIG Certification through 麻豆视频 and continued on with the Master’s Program. As a 2019 graduate from 麻豆视频, with a Master’s in Education – Gifted Education, helping out with the Village feels like coming home. The joy it brings to support the whole child is incredible. Fostering the love of learning, building relationships and community is something that the Village provides a space and place for.鈥�

Although Summer Launch differed from Jones鈥� usual STEM-focused curriculum, she embraced the opportunity to create a memorable experience for her students. Her classroom became 鈥淐amp Care-A-Lot,鈥� complete with outdoor-themed activities, a campfire centerpiece and a campfire song for students each day.

鈥淎t the end of the summer camp, students shared how they weren’t ready for it to end and how they would miss me. The feeling is mutual for sure! Another student shared how when she grows up and has kids of her own, she wants to send them to the Village Summer Camp because she wants them to have the same experience. That really helps to explain how special and the uniqueness of the program,” Jones said. “Being a part of the Village is such a positive experience. I am full of passion for the program and I am honored to give back to the community in such a meaningful way. Thank you 麻豆视频!鈥�

While teachers brought their creativity and expertise into the classroom, Newlin Elementary staff helped make Summer Launch possible by supporting the day-to-day operations of the program. During the school year, Natasha King serves as Newlin Elementary School鈥檚 teacher liaison, a leadership role that helps ensure the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project鈥檚 programming runs smoothly. During Summer Launch, King remained at the forefront of check-in, welcoming students with a smiling face at the beginning and end of each day.

鈥淲orking in the Village program throughout the years and most recently this summer has provided me with the opportunity to experience how the program keeps evolving from its humble beginnings, as it continues to meet the needs of the dynamic community that we serve,鈥� said King.

Alongside King, Principal Intern at Newlin Elementary Brittany Daye served as a site coordinator for Summer Launch. From preparing supplies in advance to coordinating logistics, Daye played an integral role in bringing the program together and helping create a welcoming environment for students and families.

鈥淚 genuinely enjoyed every moment of this journey. 鈥�’It Takes a Village’ is truly a magical program that not only enriches students academically but also builds relationships, inspires educators, and creates lasting memories,鈥� said Daye. 鈥淚t is an incredible asset to the Alamance County community, and I am honored to have been part of something that reminds us all that when a community comes together with a shared purpose, amazing things happen.”

Throughout its two-week duration, the program focused on helping students transition back to school in a fun and interactive way. The 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project supported teachers in bringing their big ideas to life by providing supplies for hands-on activities, such as designing pinecone bird feeders or creating a rainbow from cereal. During the second week, students participated in a summer-themed spirit week, coming to camp dressed in sunglasses, beach hats and other tropical attire.

For educators like King, Summer Launch is a glimpse into an exciting year of continued 鈥淚t Takes a Village” Project programs for students.

鈥淚 love that even though ‘the Village,’ continues to grow and has added new programming, the premise of the program which is, ‘It Takes a Village,’ remains at the forefront of each and every program that is offered,鈥� said King. 鈥淭he Village continues to be intentional about including our families, educators, tutors, volunteers and students. We know that when children feel safe, supported and are nurtured by those around them, it makes it easier for them to learn new things, as they become more confident in themselves. I am so proud to be a part of such an awesome community!鈥�

This fall, the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project will continue working alongside ABSS staff, volunteers, families and students to build on that momentum and ensure every child has a successful and exciting school year.

Alumni,聽parents聽and friends of 麻豆视频 are invited to come together for an Evening for 麻豆视频 in聽Chicago. Connect with fellow members of the 麻豆视频 community and hear a few highlights from campus.

The event will take place on聽Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Chicago Cultural Center. Join us at 6:30 p.m.聽for a reception featuring a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres before gathering for a special program at聽7:30聽p.m. with remarks from President Connie Ledoux Book.

Evening for 麻豆视频 in聽Chicago聽with President Connie L. Book聽
Tuesday, Oct. 6,聽2026
6:30聽p.m. Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
7:30聽p.m. Program with remarks by President Book

Chicago Cultural Center
77 East Randolph Street
颁丑颈肠补驳辞,听滨尝听60602

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d鈥檕euvres

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

As 麻豆视频 prepares for the new academic year ahead,聽we celebrate聽the accomplishments and the incredible support of donors聽during this past聽fiscal year.

Learn聽more聽below聽about the impact that donors聽made聽in 2025-26.

Giving: How donors invested in students

麻豆视频 provides聽an聽exceptional聽education, unique in the opportunities that are provided to students from the very beginning. Donor support helps bridge the gap between an ordinary education and unlocking the potential of all that 麻豆视频 has to offer.聽From hands-on learning and mentorship,聽to聽麻豆视频 Experiences like study abroad and research, students聽can聽take advantage of what makes 麻豆视频 special with the help of donor funding.

Donor generosity from the 2025-26 fiscal year will continue to聽impact聽students for years to come. Here are just a few of the ways in which donors invested in students this past year:

• $31.8 million raised for students
• 6,337 alumni donors
• 4,208 parent and grandparent donors
• 1,021 faculty and staff donors
• 364+ funds impacted
• 11 new planned gifts totaling $5+ Million
• 搁别肠辞谤诲-产谤别补办颈苍驳听麻豆视频 Day 2026聽raising $3.5 million
• Top funds supported: 麻豆视频鈥檚 Greatest Needs, 麻豆视频 Student Scholarships, Academic Schools & Departments, The Phoenix Club and聽HealthEU

Student success: What donor gifts made possible

Thanks to donor support,聽麻豆视频鈥檚 Odyssey聽Program聽reached a new milestone, welcoming the largest cohort in 麻豆视频 history.聽You can learn more about this accomplishment on Today at 麻豆视频.

Donor generosity also led to a successful year for聽student-athletes. This year marked a 48% increase聽for聽annual giving to support Phoenix Athletics compared to just聽five聽years ago. Twenty student-athletes presented their research at the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum, and 93 student-athletes graduated in May 2026.聽All of this聽in聽addition聽to winning multiple CAA championship titles!聽

More than 1,500 students walked across the stage to accept their diplomas during聽Commencement 2026. Thanks to donor support, students were able to see their dreams聽realized.聽Visit Today at 麻豆视频 to read the stories of graduating seniors to see how donors helped them along the way.

Community:聽How we strengthened聽麻豆视频 together

麻豆视频’s network continues to thrive because of the engagement of alumni,聽families, faculty,聽staff聽and friends.聽Their聽involvement is what makes the university so special, strengthening our community and creating opportunities for future generations.

These accomplishments illustrate聽the聽tremendous impact of involvement with 麻豆视频:

Alumni

• 10,550 engaged alumni
• 186听alumni events聽with聽3,547 attendees
• 2,427 alumni returned for聽Homecoming and Reunion Weekend
• 2,523 alumni served as volunteers
• 296 shared their love for 麻豆视频 as聽Social Media Ambassadors
• 33听Women of 麻豆视频聽events聽with聽368 attendees
• 811 participants in聽Lifelong聽Learning and聽Professional聽Development
• 1,523 alumni participated聽in聽
• 67 reunion committee members

Families

• 6,881听聽attendees representing聽1,939 families
• 32 Summer Welcome Events with聽756 attendees聽in聽23聽States
• 364 鈥淩eady, Set, 麻豆视频!鈥� virtual attendees
• 116听FAMbassadors
• 7 parent聽Webinars听飞颈迟丑听967听础迟迟别苍诲别别蝉

Faculty & Staff

• 42 Giving聽Captains
• 4 Co-Chairs for聽Faculty & Staff Giving
• 105 麻豆视频 Day Champions

Together, these聽accomplishments聽tell聽the story of an extraordinary 麻豆视频 community and its enduring commitment to giving back. Thank you to our 2025鈥�26 fiscal year donors for investing in our students and their future.

Alumni,聽parents聽and friends of 麻豆视频 are invited to come together for an Evening for 麻豆视频 in Washington, DC. Connect with fellow members of the 麻豆视频 community and hear a few highlights from campus.

The event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the National Portrait Gallery. Join us at 7 p.m. for a reception featuring a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres before gathering for a special program at 8 p.m. with remarks from President Connie Ledoux Book.聽Following the remarks,聽current alumni donors are聽invited to the Cheers to 麻豆视频 celebration, featuring聽additional聽food and drinks, lively聽music聽and the opportunity to connect with fellow members of the 麻豆视频 community.聽聽to the designation of your choice to join the fun.

Evening for 麻豆视频 in Washington, DC聽with President Connie L. Book聽
Wednesday,聽September聽2, 2026
7聽p.m. Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
8聽p.m. Program with remarks by President Book
8:30聽-10 p.m. Cheers聽to 麻豆视频 celebration for alumni donors

National Portrait Gallery
8th and G Streets NW
Washington, DC 20001

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d鈥檕euvres

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

A total of 347 alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends made gifts to 麻豆视频 Law during the 2025-26 academic year, a 23% increase over the previous year and the highest donor total in school history.

The law school also recorded a school-record 麻豆视频 Society-level donors 鈥� pledging $1,500 or more annually 鈥� reflecting growing investment in 麻豆视频 Law’s students, programs and future.

Highlights from the year include:

• The highest annual fundraising total in seven years and a 20% increase year over year.
• 11% alumni participation, a school record.
• 24% growth in 麻豆视频 Day fundraising.
• 67% growth in the 3L class gift campaign.
• A new endowed scholarship established to support student bar examination preparation.

“This kind of support doesn’t happen by accident,” 麻豆视频 Law Dean Zak Kramer said. “There’s excitement about where 麻豆视频 Law is going. We’ve seen record bar exam results, record applications and approval to expand our full-time program to Charlotte. Big things are happening at 麻豆视频 Law, and our alumni and friends are making them possible.”

The results continue a multi-year trend of increasing engagement among 麻豆视频 Law alumni and supporters, who contribute to scholarships, student programming, professional development opportunities and other initiatives that strengthen the law school’s mission.

Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations Scott Leighty said the record-setting year reflects the growing community of alumni and friends who believe in 麻豆视频 Law’s students and mission.

“We like to say that big things are happening at 麻豆视频 Law. Indeed, they are,鈥� Leighty said. 鈥淧hilanthropy reflects our community鈥檚 shared belief in our students.鈥�

Among the year’s accomplishments was the establishment of a new endowed scholarship dedicated to helping students prepare for the bar examination, expanding support for graduates as they take the final step toward entering the legal profession. That growing support paid dividends this year, as the Class of 2025 set school records for state and national bar passage.

The latest fundraising and engagement results build on continued momentum across 麻豆视频 Law as the law school expands its impact in Greensboro, Charlotte and throughout North Carolina.

Losing a parent changes everything. How you see the world. How you build relationships. How you understand risk, love and time.

Aidan Steinbach 鈥�23 knows this all too well. He was just seven years old when his mother died. A respected scholar and professor of public health, Michelle Mayer dedicated her life to bringing quality healthcare to communities in need before her life was cut short by a rare autoimmune disease that she battled for more than 12 years. She was 39 years old.

To honor her memory, Steinbach made a $2 million estate gift to create the Michelle Mayer Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will assist students who have experienced the death of a parent or guardian, with first preference given to entrepreneurship majors in 麻豆视频鈥檚 Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, where Steinbach earned his degree in management in 2023.

Endowing the scholarship is Steinbach鈥檚 way of paying tribute to his mother鈥攚ho helped fund his 麻豆视频 education鈥攁nd helping future generations of students grappling with the same kind of loss he experienced.

鈥淢y Mom was Wonder Woman,鈥� Steinbach said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 who your mom is when you鈥檙e seven years old. She鈥檚 the person who protects you, clothes and feeds you, and teaches you right from wrong. I聽miss her every day.鈥�

Mayer was also someone who valued education and ensured Steinbach and his older sister Amelia had the chance to go to college.

鈥淢y Mom wasn鈥檛 wealthy. She didn鈥檛 leave behind real estate or investments or anything you鈥檇 call an estate,鈥� Steinbach said. 鈥淲hat she left was a life insurance policy that helped pay for my 麻豆视频 education. I got to go to school debt-free because my mother died. I鈥檝e sat with that fact for most of my life. It鈥檚 not something you ever fully resolve. You just learn to carry it.鈥�

Michelle Lynn Mayer died October 11, 2008, at the Duke Hospice Inpatient Care Facility in Durham, North Carolina, after battling scleroderma, part of a group of chronic autoimmune disorders marked by hardening and tightening of the skin. Scleroderma can also damage the lungs, heart, kidneys, digestive track, muscles and joints, and other internal organs.

It was a struggle Mayer chronicled in her blog, 鈥淒iary of a Dying Mom,鈥� where she wrote essays on parenting, living and dying to help families facing the challenges of terminal illnesses.

鈥淚 deal with the topic of death head-on in an unflinching way,鈥� Mayer wrote in one entry. 鈥淚 believe that, as a culture, we shy away from anything surrounding death and, consequently, deprive ourselves of all the lessons inherent in the dying and grieving process. We ignore the reality that death is as much a part of life as birth.鈥�

A Philadelphia native, Mayer graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania (1990) with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing and a minor in economics from the Wharton School of Business, before earning her master鈥檚 degree in public health education (1992) and a doctorate in health policy and administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1997). During her doctoral program, Mayer also served as a health economics consultant for the World Bank in Washington, D.C., and in Nairobi, Kenya.

In 1997, Mayer married Dr. William J. Steinbach after the two met as graduate students at UNC.

The couple (and later their young children) briefly lived in California during Dr. Steinbach鈥檚 medical residency. During this time, Mayer worked as a clinical research associate in the Department of Pediatrics at Stanford University and as research director of the Children鈥檚 Health Initiative at the Lucile S. Packard Children鈥檚 Hospital in Palo Alto, California. The family then moved back to the Triangle in 2001, and Mayer served as a research fellow at the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and a research assistant professor in the School of Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill, until stepping down in 2007 due to her illness.

In the family鈥檚 Durham neighborhood, Mayer started a group for families with young children, which was a vital source of support for her family during her illness. Mayer also regularly volunteered at her children鈥檚 school, even after the disease had curtailed many of her daily activities. Throughout her ordeal, Mayer remained passionate about improving access to quality healthcare for underserved communities, supporting women and families, and promoting awareness of scleroderma.

Steinbach is grateful to his mother for giving him the gift of education. He is equally grateful to 麻豆视频 for providing him with an outstanding experience, including participation in the Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows program and Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which prepared him for success. Steinbach, who lives in San Francisco, is a banker at Erebor and also runs his own consulting firm, working with companies backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator and others.

Steinbach hopes the scholarship will encourage students to follow their dreams, knowing someone is willing to invest in their success.

鈥淢y mother inspired me to be a better person. I hope this scholarship inspires others to be better as well, and, in turn, to own that obligation as they go out into the world,鈥� he said. 鈥溌槎故悠� gave me a chance during a stretch of my life when the odds weren鈥檛 obviously in my favor. The scholarship is my attempt to extend that same chance to someone else who didn鈥檛 ask for what happened to them, but is still here trying to figure out what comes next.鈥�

鈥淎idan鈥檚 desire to honor his mother鈥檚 legacy while creating opportunity for others is a wonderful example of the power of philanthropy to change lives,鈥� said Leanna Giles 鈥�02, associate director of planned giving. 鈥淗e didn鈥檛 just want to honor her memory鈥攈e wanted to transform something painful into possibility for someone else. For that, the 麻豆视频 community is grateful.鈥�

Make An Impact

To learn how you can make an impact at 麻豆视频 through your estate, contact Leanna Giles 鈥�02, associate director of planned giving, at (336) 278-5798 or lgiles@elon.edu.