Tommy Eller honors sister with UNCG scholarship

Childhood education is critical. For the ten Eller family children growing up in rural Depression-era Rowan County, it was the stepping stone to go out into the wider world and make an impact. Now Tommy Eller, 94, acknowledging the importance of early education in his own life and that of each of his siblings, is making a further impact with a gift in the name of sister, Eloise, 78. 

An endowment of more than $200,000 to UNC Greensboro will establish the Eloise N. Eller 1965 Scholarship in Education, supporting an undergraduate in the School of Education studying elementary education.

“This gift from the Ellers,” said Beth Fischer, Vice Chancellor of Advancement, “will play a great role in supporting student educators at UNC Greensboro and training the next generation of teachers.”

The Ellers were born in China Grove, NC. Tommy served for three years in the Navy during World War II, primarily at the Marshall Islands, then returned to Rowan County and began a long career with Food Lion until his retirement at 55.

Eloise entered Woman’s College in 1961 – by the time she graduated in 1965 it had become UNCG. She studied social work and embarked on a career predicated on providing support for individuals in various contexts, designing employee assistance programs at businesses and providing supportive services for military families.

When the Eller siblings were growing up, “education was not the way out; it was the way to be,” Eloise said. She stressed the importance of their teachers in preparing her and Tommy for success later in life. Their scholarship endowment is a way to acknowledge the impact of early education on them, and to support future educators, who will be a profound influence on a new generation of children, by removing financial barriers. This will be a meaningful contribution to the Light the Way campaign’s goal to double scholarship endowment to $24 million, addressing the state’s critical teacher shortage and expanding the teacher workforce.

“Tommy has always believed that good deeds are what you’re here to do, period,” Eloise said. “You’re here to serve, to be a support for others. That’s what philanthropy is about.” 

Learn more about UNCG’s Light the Way campaign and how you can join the Ellers in making an impact at lighttheway.uncg.edu.

By Vivian Campbell.

Photograph of (l-r) Eloise Eller and Tommy Eller.