The Mebane Foundation has announced a five-year, $23 million investment in the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Cato College of Education. 

The grant and potential endowment will support preK-5 literacy education through the Mebane Early Literacy Center by expanding the foundation’s commitment to teacher development, community partnerships, and research and innovation at Cato College. It is expected that the gift will culminate in the Allen Mebane: Leaving a Legacy for Future Generations endowment to fund the center in perpetuity.

The gift comes after a report commissioned by the UNC system board of governors designated the university as “strong” in literacy instruction, the highest rating achievable, making it the only North Carolina public university to earn the distinction. Over the past 25 years, the foundation has awarded more than $25 million to educational partners across the state. In recognition of the latest commitment to UNC Charlotte, the College of Education building will be renamed Mebane Hall.

“We are grateful the Mebane Foundation selected UNC Charlotte as its long-standing partner,” said UNC Charlotte chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “This transformational investment will take Charlotte’s highly rated literacy programming and clinical experiences and move our teacher candidates to the next level. The Mebane name will continue as a gold standard for teacher readiness, assuring Mr. Mebane’s vision is realized. Together, we will create a better future for North Carolina.”

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