The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has announced a gift of $11.5 million from Leon and Sandra Levine through the Leon Levine Foundation to extend and support the Levine Scholars Program through 2029.

Established in 2009, the merit-based scholarship program provides outstanding high school students committed to community service with a four-year scholarship to the university, including tuition, housing, meals, books, and mandatory fees. Recipients also gain access to an $8,000 grant to implement a service project of their own design, as well as study abroad opportunities, professional networking, personalized mentorship, priority course registration, and professional development resources. With gifts totaling nearly $30 million in support of the program, the foundation is the largest cumulative donor in UNC Charlotte's history.

"Even before attending college, these accomplished students have shown their dedication to improving their local communities," said Leon Levine, founder and chairman emeritus of Family Dollar Stores. "We look forward to watching as the program continues to develop the interests of talented UNC Charlotte students."

(Photo credit: Kam King Heslop)