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Meredith women are strong. They are known for their leadership, academic accomplishments and ability to make a difference in their communities. Driven by a desire to attract the strongest students to Meredith, a group of alumnae established the Meredith Legacy Scholarship, the College’s only full, four-year scholarship.

This prestigious scholarship is the highest honor available to an entering freshman, with a total estimated value of $180,000. Competition is open to any high school student, and the scholarship is awarded based on superior academic achievement, intellectual promise and leadership ability.

Meredith Legacy Scholars receive full tuition, room and board, books, supplies, international study, networking opportunities with the College president and alumnae, and other academic enrichment programs.

Support the Legacy of the Meredith Experience

Established in 2007, the Meredith Legacy Scholarship brings exceptional students to Meredith’s campus. With your generous donations, this tradition will carry forth for numerous years, positively impacting the entire Meredith community.

The ultimate goal is to award the scholarship to four freshmen each year with 16 scholars attending Meredith at any one time.

How You Can Help

Give. Your financial support to this initiative will allow us to expand the number of Scholars in coming years. Gifts to the Meredith Legacy Scholarship Endowment may be made in cash, securities, property or as a planned gift in your estate.

A gift of a $1M endowment offers a donor the opportunity to sponsor an individual scholar. This endowment is named for the donor, for example, The Sally Smith Jones Legacy Scholar.

A gift of $50,000 will name a Meredith Legacy endowment, which can be paid over five years.  The spendable portion of the interest income is placed in a pooled account to support the Meredith Legacy Scholarship.  We refer to these named endowments as “angel endowments.”

These gifts may be made through cash, stock, property or planned gifts including an annuity, charitable remainder trust, etc.

Identify qualified applicants. This scholarship is an extraordinary opportunity for intellectually gifted, self-confident young women who possess demonstrated leadership abilities and outstanding scholastic achievement. As someone who is connected to Meredith College, you are in a unique position to help guide exceptional students to this scholarship.

Scholarship Funding

Current Goal: $17 million – 16 Scholars/4 per year
Intermediate Goal: $20 million – 20 Scholars/5 per year
Ultimate Goal: $24 million – 24 Scholars/6 per year

Scholarship Details

As long as Meredith Legacy Scholars remain full-time students and maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.30 on all courses, they receive

• full tuition (four academic years)
• on campus room and board and college-wide fees (four academic years) course-required books, fees, and supplies
• opportunity for a study abroad experience
• leadership opportunities
• participation in the “Focus on Excellence” cultural and social events
• induction in the Meredith Honors Program
• networking with the Meredith president and other senior leaders, outstanding scholars and alumnae

Scholarship recipients are expected to participate in the life of the College and to take advantage of all opportunities while developing a lifelong commitment to Meredith College. Legacy Scholars are required to live on campus all four years.

Meredith Legacy Scholars…Where are they now?

Erin Huber, ’11, received a M.S. in School Counseling from UNC-G in 2016 and is now a National Certified Counselor at a public high school.

Sarah Beth Phelps Bdoyan, ’11, received a master’s in public health, health policy and management for UNC-Chapel Hill. She works at The American Society of Endocardiography (ASE) as a researcher and project manager to create a national clinical data registry for the echocardiography field.

Zeenat Razvi, ’13, received M.Sc. in Chemistry from Duke in 2015. Currently, she is a small molecule analytical chemistry and quality control at PPD in San Francisco.

Amy Hruby, ’13, is pursuing Ph.D. in Philosophy at DePaul University and teaches college courses in philosophy, particularly in gender theory.

Michelle Maiden, ’14, NSF Graduate Fellow at University of Colorado Boulder is pursuing a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics

Monique Kreisman, ’15, is pursuing a J.D. at Campbell University School of Law.

Rebecca Shafer Flores, ’15, us a first grade teacher in  the Wake County Public School System.

Alyssa Zsido, ’15, is working with the NC State Crop Science Department in the soybean unit conducting agricultural research.

Tia Joyce, ’16, is attending UNC Dental School and is a 2021 DDS candidate.

Sierra Moorefield, ’18, is working towards her Ph.D. in Toxicology at NC State University and is a Graduate Research Assistant at the Cowley Lab.

Imani William, ’18, obtained a B.A. in Mathematics from Meredith College and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from NC State University. She currently serves as an Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer with Hyundai-Aptiv Autonomous Driving Joint Venture.

Kirby Jones, ’19, is a graduate student at Wake Forest University and will receive a dual degree in Divinity and School Counseling.

Mimi Mays, ’20, obtained her B.A. in Political Science (Pre-Law) with minors in Mass Communication and French from Meredith. She is currently a civil litigation paralegal at North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services, Inc.
Current Meredith Legacy Scholars

Ansley Harris, ’21, is a dual-degree student studying mathematics at Meredith College and civil engineering at NC State University. She is also a member of the Meredith lacrosse team. Ansley has completed an internship at GIS Engineering.

Huma Hashmi, ’21, is studying biology, chemistry, and public health. She is a Biology Lab Teaching Assistant and Meredith Poll worker, and completing an internship at the National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Program.

Ally Cefalu, ’22, is studying biology and psychology. She is working on undergraduate research with faculty and serves as a campus tour guide for Admissions.

Safa Ahmed, ’23, is studying biology. In high school, she was a student delegation leader in the Youth and Government Club, a varsity soccer player, and secretary of the National Art Honor Society. Her community service included serving on the Wilson Youth Council, establishing the Muslim Student Association in Wilson, and volunteering with the Wilson Public Library, Wilson Medical Hospital, and United Way World Relief in Durham.

Marissa Borst, ’24, plans to study psychology. In high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society and was vice president of the Student Government Association. Borst founded and served as president of her school’s chapter of Mu Alpha Theta math club. Other school activities included serving as an officer in the Red Cross Club, and president of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter. She has also volunteered at Cape Fear Valley Hospital.

Amelia Irvin, ’24, plans to enroll in Meredith’s dual degree engineering program, with majors in mathematics and computer science. Her high school activities included FIRST Robotics competitions, serving as a peer mentor and computer programming/aviation session leader for the Greensboro chapter of American Association of University Women, student pilot training at Piedmont Flight Training, and marching band commanding officer.

Why They Give

“Meredith gave me the foundation upon which I built careers that took me from working with the disabled to the Washington lobbying office of a major corporation.  In 1963, a shy young woman entered Meredith and left with self-confidence, tenaciousness and an eagerness to keep learning.   The Legacy Scholars exhibit that same amazing change.  When they leave Meredith they are ready to put their imprint upon the world.”

Ann Batson James, ’67, Board of Trustees

“The Legacy scholars on campus add a component of academic rigor in the classroom that has been a signature of Meredith since the beginning. Meredith students are serious and globally-minded in their studies and service to the local and global community. The students are strengthened by the smaller class sizes and the more personal contact with the faculty, staff, alumnae and opportunities the program affords them such as study abroad and other programs designed for the scholars.

Giving to Meredith in this way for me has made me feel my degree, though over 40 years old is more prestigious, given the competition for the scholarship.  Further it makes me proud to give back in such a way that truly impacts the scholar as well as other students.  I believe the college is stronger today than ever!”

Michelle Rich Goode, ’73, Former Chair, Board of Trustees

“I have been so pleased and rewarded to be able to contribute to the Meredith Legacy Scholarship.  As one of the early donors, I am so impressed with each of the scholars who have been chosen.  They are making, and will continue to make, Meredith proud – Going Strong.”

Carolyn S. Leith, ’85, Board of Trustees