Brown was a trailblazer for female student athletes, helping to organize Elon’s fledgling women’s athletics program. In the classroom, she was an innovative educator who instilled intellectual curiosity and a good work ethic in her students. She created one of Elon’s most popular Winter Term courses, “The Business of NASCAR.”
“Elon was really my family for 40 years,” Brown says. “It was a wonderful experience, and it gave me the opportunity to serve. I grew professionally and personally, and I appreciated the opportunity that Elon gave me.”
Brown says she made the gift to help female student athletes compete at the highest level and to show her appreciation for Elon.
“It’s a good way to give back,” Brown says. “I don’t have a large amount of money, but I have enough of a retirement that I can share some of that with Elon. A combination of a gift I can give now and one that is part of my estate will allow this endowment to grow and benefit women athletes. I hope others interested in women’s athletics will contribute to this endowment.”
There are important benefits to leaving assets such as annuity policies to Elon, including estate tax savings and income tax savings for heirs.
Brown says she is proud to continue to support women’s athletics at Elon.
“I saw the women’s athletics program from its infancy, and it is satisfying to see how it has grown,” she says. “I hope endowments like this will enable the program to reach new heights. I’d like to see the women’s athletic program fully funded.”
Brown is a member of the Order of the Oak, Elon’s planned giving society, and the Phoenix Club.
Says Brown, “Elon will always be part of me.”