To help students, add it up

Rita and Eric Bigham both went to North Carolina colleges on scholarships.

So when the couple had the means to endow a scholarship at Eric’s alma mater, NC State, they jumped at the chance. Then, they learned about adding more to their endowment to elevate it to the Dean’s Scholar level — the signature undergraduate award in the College of Sciences — making their scholarship among the most sought-after of its kind. “It looked to me like a competitive advantage,” said Eric Bigham, a 1969 NC State chemistry alumnus. “The sciences at NC State are well-recognized, and we wanted to make sure our scholarship helped get the best students here.”

Starting in fall 2014, the Eric C. and Rita L. Bigham Dean’s Scholar will receive a $5,000 annual scholarship plus funds that can be used for research experiences, leadership opportunities, and study abroad offerings — activities that will shape the well-rounded scientists of tomorrow. A cohort of five Dean’s Scholars joined the College last fall, and the Bigham Dean’s Scholar will be part of a cohort of another five who begin their studies this fall.

College leaders want to add many more of these prestigious scholarships.

“We need to be educating as many scientists as we can at North Carolina colleges,” Rita Bigham said. “NC State is a great place to get a science degree.”

Both Bighams grew up in Rowan County, NC, just north of Charlotte. When it came time for college, both benefited from the generosity of others.

Rita attended Appalachian State University on a state-sponsored scholarship for future educators. While living in Connecticut, she earned her master’s degree in education and a sixth- year degree in reading. Rita had a 28-year career as an elementary school teacher, including 19 years in the Chapel Hill–Carrboro School System.

Eric enrolled at NC State on a scholarship from a local chemical company. He then earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from Princeton University and embarked on a 34-year career in the pharmaceutical industry with Burroughs Wellcome Co., Glaxo Wellcome and GlaxoSmithKline. In 2001, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus by NC State’s former College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

He retired from industry in 2007 and spent the next two and a half years lecturing in NC State’s Department of Chemistry.

Being on campus was a stimulating experience, and he enjoyed the everyday interactions with students.

Through the opportunities offered by their newly enhanced scholarship, the Bighams hope more NC State students will go on to outstanding careers in the sciences.

“One of the reasons Rita and I set up our scholarship is to create that opportunity for someone else,” Eric said.