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William Peace University Receives Historic $5 Million Gift

Raleigh, N.C. (09/18/2025) — William Peace University has received the largest single gift in the history of the institution. Alumna Peggy (Garner) Britt '56 has donated $5 million to benefit scholarships, with the explicit goal of giving students who might not be able to attend college the opportunity to do so.

The gift came to the University via Britt's estate after she passed away in 2024. She had a history of generous support for Peace, having previously donated in prior years including $1 million in 2022. This new gift expands on the work she started, which has supported students through both the Peggy Britt Scholarship and the Peggy Britt Endowed Scholarship.

President Lynn Morton said Britt's gift is timely, given the University's focused efforts to expand pathways to higher education for all.

"This historic and generous gift is a transformative investment in our students and in the future of Peace," said Morton. "It reaffirms our deep commitment to access and affordability, ensuring that talented students from all backgrounds can pursue their dreams without financial barriers. We are profoundly grateful for this extraordinary bequest - it will change lives for generations to come."

In an interview conducted in 2022 shortly after her $1 million gift, Britt expressed her desire to support students with ambitions that may have exceeded their means.

"I believe that most young people want to improve themselves and have a meaningful and rewarding life," she said. "The college experience can prepare a young person to reach those goals. Unfortunately, many promising young people and their families lack the financial resources to attend college. I want to help deserving students have that opportunity."

In that same interview, Britt reflected on the life-changing impact of her Peace education.

"When I enrolled at Peace, I was very quiet and shy," she said. "Peace helped me grow academically and socially so that when I entered the workforce after graduation, I was confident about my ability to do my job."

Vice President for Advancement Paul Scherschel said Britt's gift is a powerful statement about her respect for Peace and the value of a college education.

"This remarkable gift - the largest scholarship commitment in Peace's history - reflects not only the incredible generosity of one of our most distinguished alumni, but also her deep belief in the power of education. Her legacy will open doors for countless students and inspire others to invest in the promise of future generations."

In reflecting on her support for Peace, Britt had expressed her gratitude for the opportunities that shaped her life experience, which made her want to invest in future students at Peace.

"I have worked hard and been very fortunate in my life," said Britt. "That good fortune gives me the ability to help others, particularly those promising young people who need a little assistance to get started on their own roads to success."

About William Peace University

Founded in 1857, William Peace University is the oldest institution of higher education in Raleigh, North Carolina. Peace's educational approach is applied, adaptive, and nimble - with career preparation built in from start to finish. An immersive curriculum and innovative teaching methods ensure students graduate career ready and prepared to thrive in an ever-changing workforce. Peace serves close to 800 students in 30+ undergraduate and 10 professional online programs in criminal justice, education, business administration, nursing, simulation and game design, and more. With a historic green campus that's embedded in the heart of downtown Raleigh, the University's culture is as vibrant as the city that surrounds it, and students benefit from all the connection and collaboration that this central location has to offer. Learn more at peace.edu.

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Peggy (Garner) Britt

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