Hanes family foundations give combined $2 million to UNCSA
UNCSA has received gifts and pledges with a combined value of $2 million from two foundations associated with members of the Hanes family.
“We are extraordinarily grateful for the generosity these two great foundations have demonstrated toward UNCSA and our emerging artists,” said UNCSA Chancellor Lindsay Bierman. “Since our very beginning, back in 1963, members of the Hanes family have been essential in every step of our institution’s growth and health. These gifts demonstrate that their love of the arts and dedication to our students continues unabated.”
The John Wesley and Anna Hodgin Hanes Foundation’s gift of $1.25 million includes $750,000 for the Melissa Hayden Endowed Scholarship, a merit-based scholarship in the School of Dance. The scholarship, established in 2000, is named for the UNCSA faculty member whom The New York Times once called “one of American ballet’s greatest ballerinas.” One of New York City Ballet’s first international stars and a favorite of George Balanchine, Hayden died in 2006 at the age of 83.
Since our very beginning, back in 1963, members of the Hanes family have been essential in every step of our institution’s growth and health. These gifts demonstrate that their love of the arts and dedication to our students continues unabated.
Chancellor Lindsay Bierman
The remainder of the John Wesley and Anna Hodgin Hanes Foundation’s gift–$500,000—supports the university’s strategic real estate acquisition efforts.
“We are honored that the Foundation can play a part in helping UNCSA continue to attract world-class students and strategically grow the campus to meet the needs of new generations of artists,” said Borden Hanes, chairman of the trustees of the John Wesley and Anna Hodgin Hanes Foundation.
The James G. Hanes Foundation has made a gift of $750,000 to establish the John Ehle and Rosemary Harris Distinguished Visiting Artist Endowed Professorship. The fund, which will support guest artists at UNCSA, was named for novelist John Ehle and actress Rosemary Harris. The couple, who were married for more than 50 years until Ehle’s death in 2018, played pivotal roles in the early success of UNCSA and the artistic growth of Winston-Salem. Ehle, who is best known for his fiction set in the Appalachian Mountains, was instrumental in founding the School of the Arts as N.C. Gov. Terry Sanford’s special assistant. Harris, who has won Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe awards, is currently appearing on Broadway as Mrs. Higgins in “My Fair Lady.” She has been a guest artist at UNCSA numerous times.
The James G. Hanes Foundation has established an endowed guest artist professorship in honor of the late John Ehle, a founder of UNCSA, and his wife, the actress Rosemary Harris. / Photo: UNCSA Archives
“It is essential that UNCSA students have the chance to learn from people who have led distinguished careers in their respective arts,” said Eldridge C. Hanes, a trustee of the James G. Hanes Foundation. “The renowned artists this fund will help bring to campus will be an inspiration for the outstanding young artists at the school.”
UNCSA intends to seek matching support for the visiting artist professorship through state grants.
Established in 1947 and 1957, respectively, the John Wesley and Anna Hodgin Hanes Foundation and the James G. Hanes Foundation both focus on improving the lives of North Carolinians by supporting the arts, culture, and education.
May 01, 2019