Making study abroad opportunities available to additional students with financial need inspired Elon parents John and Shirley Gaither of Bahama, N.C., to make a generous endowment gift to the Ever Elon Campaign. The couple’s gift will establish the John and Shirley Gaither Scholarship for International Study.
The Gaithers are members of Elon’s Parents Council and have hosted summer welcome events for incoming freshmen and their families at the couple’s horse farm in Bahama. They have been generous donors to the university’s annual giving programs and are members of The Elon Society Founder’s Circle. The couple’s daughter, Laura, is an Elon senior majoring in economics.
John Gaither is president and CEO of Reichhold Inc., headquartered in Research Triangle Park, N.C. In fall 2007, he was invited by President Leo M. Lambert to participate in a CEO roundtable discussion about Elon’s future. Gaither also has visited campus to share his expertise with students in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. The couple regularly attend cultural events on campus.
Increasing scholarship support for study abroad and other engaged learning opportunities is one of the goals of the $100 million Ever Elon Campaign, which seeks to build the endowment, increase annual and planned gifts, and build and preserve the campus. For additional information on Ever Elon, click on the link to the right.