UNCG’s School of Education makes a profound impact on classrooms in North Carolina. Teachers trained at UNCG, who often have more than 1,000 hours of hands-on experience in classrooms by the time they graduate, are ready for successful careers.

Now, a testamentary gift to the Barbara Davis Berryhill and Leigh Berryhill Teacher Education Scholarship Fund from Barbara Berryhill ’57 will add to the original endowment and support even more students.

“UNCG meant a lot to my family,” she says. “I believe UNCG has the best School of Education, and I believe in its goals. We also want to fund scholarships to deserving students who may not otherwise be able to afford an education.”

Philanthropy can increase student access to education, says Dr. Randall Penfield, UNCG’s senior vice provost and former dean of the School of Education. “Alumni support for scholarships and student support services is essential to ensuring a future pipeline of highly qualified educators in our region.”

This gift represents a new chapter in a wonderful story of generosity from Barbara Berryhill and her family. She was a student at Woman’s College in the 1950s, where she excelled academically and became a member of Golden Chain honor society. As an alumna, she remained active in Class of 1957 reunions. On their 50th class reunion, she said, “WC gave me a foundation for service to others that I have tried to maintain.”

That commitment to service is clear. In 2007, Mrs. Berryhill and her husband established the scholarship – named for her and their daughter Leigh, also an alumna. Since that time, it has funded 19 students. They have gone on to become highly impactful educators, administrators, and university faculty.