UNC Wilmington received a $25 million commitment from former professor Yousry Sayed and his wife, Linda, who has two degrees from the campus. It’s the biggest philanthropic commitment in the school’s history, Chancellor Aswani Volety said.
The commitment directs $20 million over five years for programs in medical education, clinical care, research and healthcare accessibility. Another $5 million is designated to programs to recruit prospective teachers and provide scholarships for individuals transitioning to a teaching career.
“The university is profoundly grateful for this historic gift from two deeply dedicated Seahawks,” Volety said in a release. “These dear friends believe in the power of higher education to transform lives, improve communities and create positive change in the world.”
Sayed called the gift “an investment in future teachers and healthcare professionals who will serve their communities. We want to empower students with the knowledge and skills to help others lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Sayed is co-founder and CEO of Quality Chemical Laboratories, a Wilmington-based company that serves the pharmaceutical industry. He was a UNCW professor of chemistry and biochemistry before starting his business. He has a master’s degree from Cairo University and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.
UNCW has more than 18,000 students. Volety was been chancellor since 2022.
