Betty Cameron and her children, in their capacity as directors of the Dan Cameron Family Foundation, Inc., have established a distinguished professorship at the University of North Carolina Wilmington to develop and lead efforts to improve the effectiveness of the local nonprofit sector and increase philanthropy.
The Betty and Dan Cameron Family Distinguished Professorship of Innovation in the Nonprofit Sector, which will be housed in the Department of Public and International Affairs, will assist in applying the intellectual capital of UNCW faculty, students and staff to strengthen the nonprofit community in southeastern North Carolina. The Cameron Distinguished Professor will interact with leaders of the nonprofit, private and public sectors to emphasize the importance of collaboration and partnerships in building a stronger community. In addition, this position will enhance the involvement of students in meaningful community improvement and outreach activities.
"Establishing this professorship in the nonprofit sector is consistent with the work efforts that my mother and father were involved in throughout their lives," said William H. Cameron, president of the Dan Cameron Family Foundation, Inc. "It's a way of honoring their traditions and also giving to an area that will be of the greatest benefit to the university." Cameron and his siblings Swanna C. Saltiel, Daniel D. Cameron Jr., Charlotte A. Cameron and Hilda C. Dill serve as directors of the family foundation.
The Cameron family's gift of $667,000 will be matched by a gift of $250,000 from the C.D. Spangler Foundation, as well as $333,000 in matching funds from the state Distinguished Professors Endowment Trust Fund, resulting in a total endowment of $1.25 million.
One of UNCW's seven strategic goals is to continue to enhance its regional engagement activities, and this professorship will provide transformational leadership in linking the resources of the university with the nonprofit sector. Economically and culturally strong communities have vibrant and successful nonprofit organizations, and the university is a key player in helping develop that nonprofit strength. Endowment interest will be used to supplement a faculty position and recruit a preeminent scholar with a significant track record of achievement with the nonprofit sector.
"This professorship is a remarkable tribute to Betty and Dan Cameron, true innovators in community development, and their children, who have continued their parents' legacy of enhancing the quality of life in the Cape Fear region," said Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo. "UNCW is just one of countless institutions that have benefited from the Cameron family's special brand of engaged philanthropy."
Due to the timing of receipt of all matching funds for the professorship, recruitment for a distinguished faculty member to fill the position will not begin until fall of 2010, with the new faculty member to start at UNCW in fall of 2011. An independent community advisory board will conduct an annual impact assessment of the Cameron Distinguished Professor's leadership, regional engagement, outreach, application of knowledge, and improvement of the nonprofit sector.
Impact on the community and the university
The Department of Public and International Affairs and its Master of Public Administration (MPA) program are home to the Quality Enhancement for Nonprofit Organizations (QENO) program, a community initiative led by UNCW with the support of local funding organizations including the Cape Fear Memorial Foundation, the Community Foundation of Southeastern North Carolina, the Landfall Foundation, United Way of the Cape Fear Area, and the City of Wilmington. QENO works to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of nonprofit organizations while building philanthropy in southeastern North Carolina. The Cameron Distinguished Professor of Innovation in the Nonprofit Sector will provide new leadership resources for this effort.
In addition, the university offers a concentration in nonprofit management as part of its master's program in public administration. The Cameron professorship will be a major addition to the faculty of this program.
The Cameron family legacy at UNC Wilmington
This gift marks the third professorship the Cameron family has established at UNC Wilmington. In 1993, the late Daniel D. Cameron and his brother Bruce established the first endowed professorship at UNCW, the Cameron Distinguished Professor in Accountancy; and the Progress Energy/Betty Cameron Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship was created in 2004 by Dan Cameron. Dan Cameron, well-known businessman, community leader and university supporter, had a major influence on the direction and growth of the university, extending back to its days as Wilmington College. In 1983 the university named the School of Business in honor of the Cameron family, and in 1988 the business school building was dedicated in honor of Dan and Bruce Cameron for their support of the university. In addition to being a major donor, Dan Cameron served on the UNCW Foundation Board, the Cameron School of Business Advisory Board and was a member of the university's E.L. White Society which recognizes individuals who have made arrangements for planned gifts to UNCW. In 1994, the UNCW Alumni Association recognized him as its Citizen of the Year, the highest award the association gives to non-alumni. Betty Cameron is a former member of the UNCW Board of Trustees and Board of Visitors.
Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.962.7250 or fischettid@uncw.edu
