Elon’s convocation center is named for Dwight and Martha Schar, of Palm Beach, Fla., parents of Stuart Schar ’16 and Spencer Schar ’19. Among Elon’s most generous donors, the Schars have contributed $13 million to the university to provide lead funding for the convocation center and the expanded School of Communications facilities, which features Dwight C. Schar Hall as the centerpiece.
Dwight Schar is founder and chairman of the board of NVR, Inc., in Reston, Va., the fifth-largest homebuilding company in the nation. The firm includes the building operations of Ryan Homes and NVHomes, as well as NVR Financial.
Dwight has served on the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts for the Kennedy Center, was national finance chair for the Republican National Committee, and is co-owner of the NFL’s Washington Redskins. He has also served as a board member for MLB’s Pittsburgh Pirates, First American Banks, the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association, Bell Atlantic Company of Virginia and United Way of the Capital Area.
Martha Schar has served on the board of directors for the Rosarian Academy, a private Catholic school in West Palm Beach, and several nonprofits, including Wesley Housing Development Corp., which promotes affordable housing, and Childhelp, dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse.