The Bonnie E. Cone Society

If you have already included UNC Charlotte in your estate plans, please let us know! We would love to thank you and welcome you into the Bonnie E. Cone Society.

About the Bonnie E. Cone Society

The Bonnie E. Cone Society is a community of UNC Charlotte faithful, including alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who have made provision for a new generation of students through their long-term financial and estate planning. Members share a commitment to strengthening UNC Charlotte's future and expanding opportunity for students.

Who Was Miss Bonnie?

Bonnie E. Cone, affectionately known as Miss Bonnie (1907-2003), served as president of Charlotte College (1946 to 1965) and acting chancellor of UNC Charlotte (1965-1966). With grace, determination, and an iron hand masked in a silk glove, Miss Bonnie led an ambitious battle moving the two-year Charlotte College to UNC Charlotte.

Miss Bonnie devoted her life to motivating students, building community support, and inspiring philanthropy. Even into her 90s, she continued to champion the University and help secure gifts that strengthened its future.

Her motto, displayed on a ceramic tile on her desk, read:

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do, and what I ought to do, by the Grace of God, I will do." - quote of Edward Everett Hale

It was often said that Miss Bonnie converted a shoestring and a ball of twine into a university. She believed that fundraising must be an educational priority and made her own planned gift to UNC Charlotte through a bequest, in addition to many lifetime contributions

In addition to the Bonnie E. Cone Society, donors whose planned gift is $1,000,000 or more to UNC Charlotte will join the Loy H. Witherspoon Circle. Members of the Witherspoon Circle will have their names permanently inscribed on a plaque hanging over Miss Bonnie's desk in the Harris Alumni Center.

An Invitation to Join

Members of The Bonnie E. Cone Society have expressed their commitment to UNC Charlotte through a very special and important form of financial support.

These donors have named UNC Charlotte Foundation as the ultimate beneficiary of a planned gift. Such gifts might include a bequest and/or life-income gifts, such as charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable remainder annuity trusts, or gifts of life insurance.

Membership Benefits

Your membership involves no dues, obligations, or solicitations, but it does allow us to thank you and recognize you for the plans you have made, and it may inspire generosity in others.

Members enjoy invitations to annual luncheons, special events, and educational seminars. Most importantly, they experience the satisfaction of making a lasting contribution to UNC Charlotte's future.

The Loy H. Witherspoon Circle

In addition to the Bonnie E. Cone Society, donors whose planned gift is $1,000,000 or more to UNC Charlotte are welcomed into the Loy H. Witherspoon Circle. Members of the Witherspoon Circle will have their names permanently inscribed on a plaque hanging over Miss Bonnie's desk in the Harris Alumni Center.