Maynard, an ardent supporter of Elon University, passed away Saturday, Dec. 24, at the age of 91.
James “Jim” W. Maynard, a longtime and ardent supporter of Elon University, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 24, at the age of 91.
Maynard served 29 years on the university’s board of trustee and was elected life trustee in 2014, sharing both his strong business knowledge and leadership skills with Elon. He and his wife, Jo Anne “Joie” Maynard, demonstrated the power of education and inspired philanthropy to prepare the next generation of leaders. Maynard was awarded the Elon Medallion, the Elon’s highest honor for service to the university, in 2018.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard Business School, Maynard was the president of Tower Mills Inc., the former hosiery manufacturing business launched by his father, former Elon trustee Reid Maynard, and was a valuable and respected business leader.
Following the death of his parents, Reid and Grace Maynard, Jim and his siblings played an instrumental role in donating their family’s stately two-story Georgian home, Maynard House, to the university in 1988 to serve as the residence of the university’s president. Maynard House has played a central role in the life of the university as the location of receptions and dinners for thousands of students, faculty, staff and guests, including world leaders and other dignitaries.
Maynard provided important guidance for Elon during a period of transition and growth, and for the contributions he made during the course of his business career, Maynard received Elon’s Frank S. Holt Jr. Business Leadership Award.
The Maynards are among Elon’s most generous benefactors, having made gifts to support Rhodes Stadium, the Ernest A. Koury Sr. Business Center and the Elon Academy. They endowed a Business Fellows scholarship in memory of Reid and Grace Maynard and a Teaching Fellows scholarship in memory of Joie’s parents, Dr. John H. and Jane Albers.
Read Maynard’s full obituary to learn more about his contributions and legacy. A private family graveside service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 30.