Chancellor David O. Belcher leading the freshman run before Saturday Night’s game. Photo by Chris Lang.
Friday, March 2 was the start of the 2012 Southern Conference Championship game – Western Carolina University Catamounts versus Davidson College Wildcats. Supporters of both teams seated in their respected areas inside U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville. The drive for WCU students was roughly an hour, leading to the arena colored with purple and gold. Among the Catamount supporters was an older man who appeared to be dressed for a banquet rather than a basketball game. He went up and down rows, high-fiving students and urging their excitement on. There was no visible sign of purple or gold on his clothing, but what did sit on his chest was a tag that read: David O. Belcher, Chancellor.
Less than a month later, that same man walked on Western Carolina University’s main stage ready to take charge. His appearance resembled that of a graduate student – black gown, eager face. Faced by his wife, Susan, members from the Board of Trustees, former UNC President Tom Ross and several others, Belcher took the oath of office. A school known for its scenery and outdoor excursions welcomed Belcher, a fresh face, faith and pride-oriented leader to office officially on March 29. Standing center stage in WCU’s Ramsey Center, Belcher would then go on to pledge to remain steadfast to WCU’s historic tradition of providing access to higher education while affirming commitment to success and honing institutional focus. Raising money for scholarship support was Belcher’s top philanthropic priority.
Campaign photo via WCU.
Belcher’s pledge eventually led to the start of a comprehensive fundraising campaign – only the second in WCU’s history, and one that focused on the need for increased scholarship support. The campaign officially kicked off in 2014, but nameless and behind closed doors. The only face behind it was Belcher. Those who knew about the campaign knew of it as Belchers. His work, ethics, morals, faith, and love for the school all went into the campaign that was known so little about.
Lori Lewis, vice chancellor of advancement, spoke on the involvement of the campaign’s donors and volunteers during the first few years of its existence.
“We are excited to celebrate success with our community. We are even more excited to experience how the power of philanthropy will have a positive impact on our students for many years to come,” Lewis said.
Thursday, May 2, WCU officials will reveal just how successful that fundraising effort has been when they announce the final total raised during “Lead the Way: A Campaign Inspired by the Belcher Years.” A community celebration will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the arena floor of the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center, the site of Belcher’s initial pledge to ensure access to higher education for all capable students. The ‘big reveal’ of the campaign total will come between noon and 12:30 p.m. On site will be WCU’s infamous Purple Thunder, The Catamount Singers and Electric Soul.
WCU officially launched the public phase of the campaign on March 1, 2018. Students, faculty and staff began seeing posters and emails calling it the ‘Lead the Way: A Campaign Inspired by the Belcher Years.’ The public aspect of the campaign was inspired by none other than Chancellor Belcher, who passed away in June 2018 after battling brain cancer since April 2016. During his battle with cancer, Belcher pushed for the publicity of the campaign. It was an easy decision. There was no better way to celebrate the accomplishments of ‘Lead the Way’ than to also recognize Belcher’s contributions and memories along the way.
Chancellor David O. Belcher and wife Susan Brummell Belcher celebrate with students and donors at an annual scholarship luncheon at which they announced a pledge of $1.23 million as part of the Lead the Way campaign, on Oct. 12, 2017. Photo courtesy of WCU PR office.
The goal of the ‘Lead the Way’ was to raise $60 million by spring 2019. Because the campaign was kept hidden, this goal was only made known when the campaign went public. In October 2017, Belcher and Susan pledged $1.23 million in the form of cash donations and an estate gift for the university to kick off the public phase of the fundraising effort. The Belchers said that they had decided to direct their philanthropic gifts toward scholarships because students represent their shared passion. Belcher himself said the reason they decided to do this campaign was because of the students. WCU’s students were his reason for being. They were his joy.
When asking students about their views on such a large number raised, the answers varied. Sam Moore, a sophomore at WCU, sees the $60 million goal as “amazing.” Seeing that a small-town school could raise $60 million, let alone a few million, he advocated for the number to be increased.
“I’m here because of the scholarships,” he said. “I know plenty of other people who are, too.”
Meanwhile, others believe that the current system in-place for allotting scholarships needs to be changed.
“They should use those scholarships and money raised for more merit-based school scholarships,” said Seanna Grey, a WCU sophomore. “The current system allows for the assignment of scholarships based on teacher preference/favorites.”
In addition to increasing the financial support available to WCU students through endowed scholarships, the campaign also seeks financial support for experiential learning opportunities such as travel grants, paid internships, undergraduate and graduate research activities, and attendance at meetings of professional organizations. A third prong of the campaign emphasizes programmatic support to bolster the work of WCU’s colleges, schools, departments and programs.
Donna Winbon, a 1980 graduate of WCU and financial advisor from Raleigh who is serving as chair of the campaign believes those who make philanthropic contributions to WCU usually do so to give back to an institution they love.
“We are amazed by the outpouring of generosity from those who support Western Carolina University through philanthropy,” Winbon said. “The gifts received at the end of the year have propelled our ‘Lead the Way’ campaign and the finish line is now in sight.”
In addition to Winbon, the ‘Lead the Way’ steering committee consists of Randall and Susan Ward who are Honorary Chairs, Brad Bradshaw, Ed and Donna Broadwell, Wes Elingburg, Ken Hughes, Cathy and Roland Johnson, Robin Pate, Brandon Robinson, Rebecca and Mike Schlosser, Debbie and Dale Sims and Todd Vasos.
