Carolina Alumni Review - September/October 2007

THE CAROLINA ANNUAL FUND

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photo: sara d. davis

Randy Gardner at Boshamer Stadium, cheering on his beloved Tar Heels during their run to the 2007 College World Series.

Randy Gardner’s family couldn’t afford to send him to college, but in 1961, the Goldsboro native applied to Carolina anyway—and was accepted. “It wasn’t a viable option, but I wanted to be a part of it,” he said.

More than 40 years later it’s clear that the lack of a college degree didn’t keep Gardner, now retired, from succeeding in life. And being a non-alumnus hasn’t kept him from appreciating and supporting UNC. He gives to the Rams Club and is a lifetime

For more information about the
Carolina Annual Fund, visit carolinafirst.unc.edu
or contact Beth Braxton ‘ 88,
Director of Annual Giving,
at beth_braxton@unc.edu,
or 919-962-4388.

member of the General Alumni Association. Two of his three children earned their degrees here.

“I love the place, and it gave my children a chance to be successful,” he said.

Gardner’s giving reflects his many passions. A devoted Tar Heel sports fan, he made a substantial gift to the renovation of Boshamer Stadium. He also created a scholar-

ship to honor his wife, Vicky.

But he doesn’t just make large gifts. He gives every year to the Carolina Annual Fund. A huge country music fan, he helped the Southern Folklife Collection catalog its many country music holdings. He also supports the Robert Ruark Society, named for one of his favorite authors.

“I don’t feel like I owe anything to the university,” he said. “I want to give, and I’m surprised that some people don’t. I just feel compelled—not out of guilt, but out of appreciation.”