UNCW Receives $25 Million Gift to Boost Teacher Education and Healthcare Programs
The University of North Carolina Wilmington has received a $25 million gift commitment from Dr. Yousry Sayed and his wife, Linda ’78, ’85M, to support healthcare initiatives and teacher recruitment and retention, UNCW announced today. Their gift marks the largest philanthropic commitment in the university’s history, setting a new benchmark for generosity and vision at UNCW.
“The university is profoundly grateful for this historic gift from two deeply dedicated Seahawks,” UNCW Chancellor Aswani K. Volety said. “These dear friends believe in the power of higher education to transform lives, improve communities and create positive change in the world. Their gift commitment will position UNCW to expand programs, enhance our facilities and provide even greater opportunities for our students for generations to come.”
The Sayeds’ transformative commitment allocates $20 million over five years for the advancement of UNCW’s programs in medical education, clinical care, research and healthcare accessibility, supporting a wide range of healthcare professional workforce programs and research initiatives. Additionally, $5 million is designated to programs to recruit prospective teachers. A portion of this funding will support scholarships for individuals transitioning to a teaching career.
Further development of much-needed healthcare programming will play a crucial role in southeastern North Carolina’s future by supporting advanced clinical and medical education, innovative research and community engagement through the development of an academic health sciences center. UNCW’s initiatives will drive treatments, therapies and healthcare advancements, such as innovative collaborations among public-private partners. Other efforts will include health education, outreach programs and health access efforts. By taking this comprehensive approach, UNCW will work on a wide range of efforts to enhance public health within the region.
The Sayeds are dedicated donors whose generosity is advancing the university’s education and workforce development opportunities. In 2017, they committed a $5 million gift to UNCW to support pharmaceutical sciences and chemistry programs. At the time, it was the largest philanthropic gift in the university’s history. Their contributions have endowed funds to support undergraduate scholarships, internships, graduate fellowships, post-doctoral scholars, instrumentation and two new distinguished professorships.
“Our gift is an investment in future teachers and healthcare professionals who will serve their communities,” said Dr. Sayed. “We want to empower students with the knowledge and skills to help others lead productive and fulfilling lives. Linda and I believe in the mission and vision of this great university, and we are pleased to contribute in a way that will allow UNCW to continue to grow in service to our region and state.”
The importance of workforce development in healthcare and teacher education cannot be overstated. According to a 2022-23 report from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the state faces significant challenges in teacher retention and recruitment. For instance, the overall teacher attrition rate is around 11%, with higher rates among beginning teachers. By 2030, the state will have a shortage of more than 9,000 registered nurses, according to a 2024 report by the North Carolina Healthcare Association. The Sayeds’ historic gift will play a crucial role in addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in these fields, enhancing our region’s ability to meet future challenges and opportunities in K-12 education and healthcare.
The Sayeds, who have three children and eight grandchildren, both have professional experience as educators. Dr. Sayed is the president and CEO of Quality Chemical Laboratories, a Wilmington-based company that serves the pharmaceutical industry. Before founding the company in 1998, he had a distinguished career at UNCW as a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and in academic administration. As a faculty member, he was an outstanding teacher, mentor and researcher who received the Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award in 1993. Dr. Sayed serves on the UNCW Board of Trustees.
Linda Sayed, a 2024 Distinguished Alumna of the Year, is a North Carolina Certified Family Law Specialist. She has been a partner at Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed, LLP, in Wilmington since 2005. Previously, she worked as an associate attorney with Ward & Smith, P.A., taught chemistry at John T. Hoggard High School and UNCW and served as an assistant principal with New Hanover County Schools. She is a member of several organizations, including the UNCW Foundation Board, UNCW Society (Visionary Level), Clocktower Society, and Wilmington Society (Platinum Level). She gave a commencement address at UNCW in 2023.
“Both Yousry and I benefited from many opportunities created by the combination of higher education and our own hard work,” Mrs. Sayed said. “We chose to reinvest in our community by supporting similar opportunities for generations of students, faculty and staff at UNCW. It is our privilege to give back to the institution that has given us so much. We hope this contribution will inspire future generations of educators and healthcare professionals to pursue their passions and make a meaningful impact in their communities.”
