Scholarships and Fellowships

Philanthropy expands what a university can achieve and transforms lives in the process. At UNCW, the impact of giving is exemplified by David ’78 and Helen Congdon’s historic $10 million commitment, which established the Congdon School of Supply Chain, Business Analytics and Information Systems within the Cameron School of Business.

Their generosity created endowed scholarships that open doors for students and endowed professorships that attract exceptional faculty who strengthen programs, advance research and enrich the student experience. 

Student Impact

For many students, Congdon Scholarships do far more than reduce financial strain. They create pathways to success. “The scholarship allowed me to fully focus on my education and build a strong foundation for my career,” said Frean Erasmus ’25, a graduate student from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. “Because of that support, I graduated with honors and pursued opportunities in the logistics and supply chain field. It prepared me for the start of my career as a domestic transportation administrator and gave me the confidence to continue growing professionally.”

Senior Nathan Oliveira ’27 of Palmer, Massachusetts, said the scholarship enabled him to attend the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, work on analytics projects and continue building the skills needed for his future career. “Through the support of my donors, I’ve seen how generosity can create opportunities and strengthen a community,” he said. “It inspires me to one day contribute and support future students in the same way.”

"An excellent university depends on both opportunity for students and excellence among faculty. This commitment reflects my gratitude for the education I received at my alma mater and my family's belief in the lasting impact of investing in both." -David Congdon, '78

Faculty Excellence

The Congdon gift also created two distinguished professorships that have brought nationally recognized scholars to UNCW.

Jay Jayaram, the Earl Congdon Distinguished Professor of Supply Chain Management, brings extensive global teaching, consulting and academic leadership experience. The professorship has enabled him to expand his work into maritime supply chains, port logistics, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity while strengthening applied learning and industry engagement. “This professorship creates opportunities to connect classroom learning with applied research, mentorship and real-world supply chain challenges,” he said. “These experiences deepen engagement with students, strengthen their professional readiness, and strongly reflect the Congdon School’s commitment to preparing graduates for leadership in a rapidly evolving global environment.”

K. D. Joshi, the John B. Yowell Distinguished Professor of Information Systems, is a leading scholar whose research explores digital labor, STEM inclusion, linguistic justice in AI and value-sensitive design. Through IT and AI consulting projects with local small businesses and close mentorship of graduate students, the Yowell professorship supports interdisciplinary research and experiential learning.

“My guidance includes working on topics such as the impact of generative AI on critical thinking, creating valuable opportunities for students to develop as future scholars,” Joshi said.