Paying it forward: providing future students with the same life-changing support I received

I was involved in my InterVarsity chapter at NC State ('56) and stayed in touch for decades with three of my good friends from those days. The InterVarsity chapter was a wonderful group that did so much to help me overcome my stuttering problem. I had been a severe stutterer from second grade through high school. Teachers were aware of it and tried to be kind by never calling on me in class. But when I got to Raleigh, I realized that I would never get anywhere in business unless I stopped stuttering and spoke up about what I knew, what I didn't know, and what I wanted.

Our InterVarsity group met on Sunday evenings at West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, where they gave me topics to speak on. We didn't know anything about speech therapy; I just worked at it on my own, with a lot of prayer and the support of my InterVarsity friends. The mentors and students who befriended me during those years were a great blessing. They gave me a home away from home during four difficult academic years, and because of their kindness, I’ve supported the Fellowship for many years.

In 1999, one of those friends asked me to consider establishing a legacy fund at NC State so other students could have a similar experience. Without hesitation, and because of how positive my experience had been, I agreed.

E. Carroll Joyner 
InterVarsity Alumnus – North Carolina State University
Author of Udder Genius