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Wendy Holman McLawhorn, 鈥�99, celebrated her 25th reunion last year, and to commemorate it, she established the McLawhorn Family Scholarship Endowment. Giving back to Meredith in this way was a decision McLawhorn, her husband, Chris, and their two daughters Isabelle and Molly made together. In October, they came for an endowment signing with President Aimee Sapp in Johnson Hall to make it official.鈥淭his scholarship endowment is really special, and I think that is a great example of philanthropy for your girls and I appreciate that,鈥� said President Sapp at the signing. 鈥淲e know any time we have an endowment signing that it represents the future growth of our endowment overall, and that is important to the health of an institution. This decision is a vote of confidence in all we do at Meredith. I appreciate that you want to be a part of that growth. This scholarship will have an immeasurable impact on future students.鈥�

Living in Raleigh allowed the McLawhorns many opportunities to bring their daughters to campus for a simple walk around the Meredith Mile, a picnic on the lawn, or an afternoon to visit the amphitheater. As the girls grew older, they took advantage of alumnae events like Cookies with Santa and the Easter egg hunts. They also helped with Move-in Day and attended Iris Society events. This past year Isabelle and Molly enjoyed attending their first production of Alice in Wonderland and traveled to New York City with the College on the annual alumnae trip.
鈥淕iving back to Meredith financially has been a priority for me and our family. We considered various ways we could give back to the College; we discussed it as a family and agreed we wanted to help make Meredith affordable to students,鈥� said Wendy. 鈥淥ur family knows the value of a Meredith education, experiences, and connections. We want to ensure that others can have the same opportunities.鈥�

鈥淭his scholarship endowment is really special, and I think that is a great example of philanthropy for your girls and I appreciate that,鈥� said President Sapp at the signing. 鈥淲e know any time we have an endowment signing that it represents the future growth of our endowment overall, and The McLawhorns wanted their daughters involved in the process because they have always placed a high value on volunteerism and philanthropy and have demonstrated this to them since they were young.

鈥淢y husband and I felt that volunteering and community service was a positive way to expose them to different environments and set a strong foundation of philanthropy and service. Now, as teenagers, they have each found ways they personally enjoy giving back.鈥�

Isabelle serves at their church preschool and Molly serves with the church鈥檚 programming and is on a teen board for a women鈥檚 charity. For Wendy and Chris, it has been rewarding to see their daughters find different ways to serve and share their gifts.

Wendy says of all her memories as a student and alumna, it was a special day to sign the McLawhorn Family Endowment with President Sapp. 鈥淥ur family鈥檚 ability to set up a scholarship fund to help current Meredith students was so special to us and will hold a special 鈥楳eredith memory鈥� for me. It was a wonderful experience to be surrounded by family in that moment.鈥�

This scholarship for undergraduates shows the investment the McLawhorns have made in Meredith students. Wendy鈥檚 commitment to Meredith began many years ago, even before she was an undergraduate. She told her mother she was going to attend Meredith. And once she stepped on campus she took full advantage of all the College had to offer.

鈥淎t Meredith, I met students and professors from different backgrounds, which helped me as a person,鈥� said Wendy. 鈥淚 truly felt supported by faculty and staff, which allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and try things I would not have had the confidence to do in high school. I took advantage of many opportunities that helped me enter the workplace with strong leadership skills.鈥�

Wendy鈥檚 leadership opportunities came through class officer roles, leading the Campus Activities Board, and working in the Student Activities office. Her confidence fueled her desire to be involved, give back to the community, and make a difference years after she graduated from Meredith.

Those leadership skills she learned have served her well in her career. Wendy majored in psychology and minored in business administration/ human resource management. She began her career as a human resource intern in her junior year at Meredith and has worked as an executive in multiple companies, leading HR functions for sizeable businesses. Wendy currently serves as the vice president of human resources of the PPD clinical development business of Thermo Fisher Scientific, a business with over $5 billion in revenue and 20,000 global employees.

鈥淲hile I treasure my four years at Meredith, I equally value the connections I have made with other alumnae after those years. I鈥檝e met so many amazing graduates through my work on advisory boards and networking at Meredith events. I have stayed engaged and excited about the opportunities to support the College鈥檚 future success.鈥�

Wendy says she always wanted to stay involved and help the College and others by giving back what she gained from her Meredith experience. The Young Alumnae Board helped her stay connected with other alumnae after graduation and introduced her to ways to support the College, whether that was through her time, talents, or finances.

鈥淓nsuring Meredith has strong financial support from alumnae and friends of the College is the key to the College鈥檚 ongoing growth and success and led me to start serving on the Meredith Fund Advisory Board,鈥� said McLawhorn.

In 2024, McLawhorn was appointed to the Alumnae Association Board. She is excited about contributing to the College differently in this role.

鈥淚n all of these roles, I have had so much fun meeting new people and learning about the different aspects of Meredith, from admissions to career preparation of the students to recent initiatives like the nursing program.鈥�

Wendy hopes alumnae will find a way to connect to Meredith. 鈥淔or some, that means financial gifts, and for others that may mean gifts of time or talents. There are so many ways to get involved including advisory boards, speaking on alumnae panels and at admission events, engaging with current students, and even alumnae networking. I have learned we are strong together!鈥�