Calling Western Carolina University a “beacon of light and hope for the region and the state of North Carolina,” Jack Brinson thanked university officials and administrators for adding the name Brinson onto WCU’s Honors College because of his family’s financial commitment to the institution’s mission of academic excellence.
“Judy and I are dedicated to supporting Western Carolina to make sure these gifts of love will last for a long time and future generations are impacted,” Brinson said during the naming ceremony held at the Brinson Honors College outdoor plaza, with physical distancing restrictions in place. “We will do so by planning future gifts of love and estate gifting, as well. We are honored to support Western Carolina University, and in so doing, honor the memory of our two sons — Kevin Mark Brinson and Kristopher Jack Brinson.”
The Brinsons originally committed $350,000 to the university, which they increased to the $1 million mark after being inspired by the $1.23 million pledge to WCU in October 2017 from then-Chancellor David O. Belcher and wife Susan Brummell Belcher. Last fall, the Brinsons — who divide their time between Highlands and Hilton Head, South Carolina — doubled down by giving another $1 million for scholarships and experiential learning in honor of their late sons. That gift pushed the couple’s cash gift total to the university to the $2 million mark, in addition to a previously pledged planned gift.
Jill Granger, dean of the Brinson Honors College, said the dedication was a “milestone” in the history of the Honors College.
“I just want to say to Jack and Judy, I am so honored to serve as the leader of the Brinson Honors College,” Granger said. “It is humbling and inspiring for us to carry the Brinson name because of your values, your leadership, your generosity, your commitment, your care and your love — these are the values we hope to inspire in our honors students so that they come through Western Carolina as citizens of the world, to care deeply about others and to have learned what it means to lead through service.”
So far, there are 242 current or former students — named Brinson Scholars — who have received scholarship support because of the couple’s generosity, WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown said during the ceremony.
“Thank you, sincerely, for your transformational support for scholarships, undergraduate research, study abroad opportunities and experiential learning outside of the traditional classroom,” said Brown. “You are transforming the lives of our Brinson Honors College students through your investment, while providing encouragement and support to Dean Granger and partners across campus.”
Two Brinson Scholars spoke at the event to thank the Brinsons for their willingness to invest in students, while Brown read congratulatory notes from other current and former students who had benefited from the Brinsons’ generosity.
“As a former Brinson Scholar, your dedication to ensuring that students have the means to succeed has touched so many lives, including mine,” said Abigail Fox, who graduated in May with bachelor’s degrees in secondary education and in English studies pedagogy. “Because of your support in my undergraduate studies, I was able to apply for graduate school at WCU and continue my education. They couldn’t have chosen a more thoughtful family to represent the Honors College at WCU. Thank you.”
Although neither Brinson attended WCU, they became connected to the institution after alumnus Phil Walker, former chair of the Board of Trustees, asked Jack to join the Foundation Board of Directors in 2012 and after Highlands residents Mark and Kathy Whitehead asked Judy to consider joining the Honors College Advisory Board.
“Mark and Kathy had formed a very close relationship with (former Honors College) Dean Brian Railsback and other Western professors who came to Highlands to teach courses at the Center for Life Enrichment,” Judy Brinson said. “Through these associations, we learned just how important this university was to the entire region of Western North Carolina.”
“And the students here need the scholarship support,” Jack Brinson said.
WCU’s Honors College was the first residential honors college in the University of North Carolina System, beginning with 77 students in 1997 in Reynolds Hall. It now has more than 1,300 students and residential space in Balsam and Blue Ridge residence halls.