The University of North Carolina Wilmington has received a $10 million gift commitment from alumnus David Congdon ’78, and his wife, Helen. This represents the largest outright gift commitment in university history; with it, UNCW will establish the “David S. Congdon School of Supply Chain, Business Analytics and Information Systems,” supporting these programs within the Cameron School of Business. The Computer Information Systems Building will also be rededicated as David S. Congdon Hall.
“Generous and innovative philanthropic leaders like the Congdons help the university address the most pressing needs of the region, building workforce expertise and benefiting local industries,” said Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli. “We are confident that this commitment will serve as a catalyst to inspire other donors who want to transform the lives of students and help us engage faculty, alumni and the community to expand, explore, and address the issues important to our region.”
David Congdon graduated from UNCW in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and was named the 2008 Cameron School of Business Alumnus of the Year. He has spent his entire career, which began when he was a teenager and continued after graduation, with Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. The company was founded in Richmond, Va., in 1934 by his grandparents. Its headquarters was relocated to High Point, NC, in the early ’60s where the Congdon family has resided since. David’s experience has included dockworker, truck driver, mechanic, industrial engineer and various executive positions leading up to his promotion to the role of President and Chief Operating officer from 1997-2015. He was named CEO in 2008 and currently acts as Executive Chairman of the Board. Congdon has been recognized in the Triad and by Fortune magazine for his business and community leadership, and he serves on a number of community and industry boards.