The Class of 1969 UNCG Endowed Scholarship – Antwain Hairston

The 1960s were all about moving forward – scientific advances that saw the first successful heart transplant and an American walking on the moon, social advances that integrated schools and put Thurgood Marshall on the Supreme Court. UNC Greensboro’s Class of 1969 were right in the thick of it, building the foundations of their adult lives while society transformed around them.

The men and women of 1969 carried their motto – “Tomorrow through Today” – with them, recognizing how time and their experiences informed not only the present, but also the future. The education they received let them carve successful careers as educators, health care professionals, lawyers, and researchers. It helped them to make a difference in their families, their communities, and our society. It shaped their understanding of the world and their place in it.

In 2019, the Class of 1969 celebrated their 50th reunion by establishing the Class of 1969 UNCG Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship supports high-achieving undergraduate students with financial need in any discipline. With more than 1.6 million students applying annually for national merit scholarships, merit-and-need-based scholarships are especially precious at UNCG.

“Many of us were the beneficiaries of scholarships,” said Bette Walston Brooks, chair of the Class Gift Sub-Committee. “Now we must gaze forward. Imagine students in the future receiving a scholarship from the Class of 1969…Imagine them conducting research, presenting their senior recitals and exhibits, student teaching. Imagine the roles they will take to meet the changing needs of our evolving world.”

Antwain Hairston, Class of 2021, looks forward to meeting those needs. The new media and design student is eager to combine the experiences of his bachelor’s degree and future master’s degree in clinical psychology to help others find healthy ways to lead balanced lives.

“Being a student at UNCG has been delightful,” says Antwain, “because of the supportive atmosphere. I feel worthy to be here, and I never really had that before in my life.”

The Class of 1969 wanted to celebrate the education they received and the successes they earned. By preserving their legacy of growth and transformation with this scholarship, students will have access to those same experiences for years to come.

Story by Donor and Board Engagement