Elon University has received a $1 million gift from the estate of William A. Graham, a 1962 alumnus from Flemingsburg, Ky., who died in 2006. The gift will become part of Elon’s endowment, providing scholarship assistance for student-athletes on the Phoenix baseball team as well as academically talented students in the Elon College Fellows program.
“Bill Graham loved Elon, and wanted to make it possible for future generations of students to experience the same kind of education he enjoyed,” said Leo M. Lambert, Elon president. “His commitment to his alma mater has created a remarkable legacy, and demonstrates the critical importance of alumni support in building Elon’s future.”
Graham was a business administration major at Elon and a member of the baseball team. After graduating from Elon, he played professional baseball for 12 years, including major league play as a pitcher with the Detroit Tigers (1966) and New York Mets (1967).
Following his baseball career, Graham became a successful business leader in banking, farming and real estate in his hometown of Flemingsburg. During this time, he remained close to his Elon classmates and professors.