Women give to Carolina in many ways — not just financially but also by volunteering their energy, time and ideas. They serve on every University board, including the Board of Trustees, the Board of Visitors and the Carolina First Campaign Steering Committee, and they champion Carolina in their regions. They mentor students and provide summer internships.

Another way women serve Carolina is through the Carolina Women’s Leadership Council — a network of women from all over the country committed to supporting the Univer- sity and students’ educational experiences. In addition to mem-bers’ individual gifts, the council is collectively funding a faculty mentoring award program, which recognizes outstanding faculty

who go the extra mile to mentor students and other faculty.

Women are leaving their footprints all over the University — touching the lives of students, faculty and staff members. As Carolina works to become the nation’s leading public university, women’s support is especially critical.

Where will you leave your footprint?For more information, contact Lanier Brown May at 919-843-5883 or lanier_may@unc.edu.

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Marree TownsendGreenwich, Conn.

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To Marree Townsend ’77, leadership means setting an example for her two daughters.

“I hope that my involvement with Carolina will be an inspiration for our daughters to continue,” Townsend said. “I think it’s so important for women to support their causes, whatever they may be. Role modeling is an important aspect for any alumna, from graduation forward.”

Townsend graduated from UNC with a degree in political science in 1977. The Winston-Salem native now lives in Greenwich, Conn., with husband John Townsend III ’77 ’82 (MBA). Their daughters, Merritt ’06 and Louise — a member of the class of 2009, are third-generation Tar Heels on both sides of the family.

“It means a lot to keep the tradition going, particularly because they were born and raised in the north,” the proud mom said. “So few peers were going south to college.”

Marree and John began giving to Carolina as soon as they were able. “We both felt that Carolina is a place that we loved,” she said. “We were privileged to go to the University, and we got so much out of the University. It was one of the first organizations that we felt privileged to support when we had a little money to give. It’s been such a rewarding place to continue to give to over the years.”

The Townsends have supported Kenan-Flagler Business School through the establishment of the Archie K. Davis Endowed Lecture Series and the Townsend Family Endowed Professorship, the Arts & Sciences Foundation, First Year Seminars and the renovation of Memorial Hall. They created the Robert A. Shore Cystic Fibrosis Research Fund in the medical school in honor of Marree’s nephew, who has cystic fibrosis.

“It was definitely a shared enthusiasm between the two of us,” Marree said. “We both got fabulous educations, we’re grateful for that, and we’re so thrilled that we’re in a position to give back. It’s fun to be able to give when you can watch wonderful things that go on and watch your contributions making a difference.”