University of North Carolina Wilmington officials announced Friday the single largest donation in the school’s history – $25 million – which will be used to advance medical education.

The donation comes from Yousry Sayed, a member of UNCW’s Board of Trustees and founder of Quality Chemical Laboratories, and his wife, attorney Linda Sayed.

“With their support, the university will allocate $20 million over the next five years to advance UNCW’s programs in medical education, clinical care, research and health care accessibility,” said Chancellor Aswani Volety during an announcement ceremony at UNCW’s Burney Center on Friday.

The university will also designate $5 million to support teacher preparation, Volety said. A portion of the $5 million will go toward scholarships for individuals transitioning to a teaching career.

He said the gift will be critical for a wide range of health care professional programs, workforce programs and research initiatives.

The Sayeds said the need for health care education at a time of workforce shortages and other enormous challenges prompted them to take action. They said they've also experienced firsthand the impact UNCW can have on recruitment.

"Yousry and I are deeply humbled to be recognized for our gifts to support teacher education and health care programs and opportunities at UNCW," Linda Sayed said. "Our journey began here at UNCW, and over the years, this wonderful place provided a foundation for us to raise our family, to join a community and build careers that have inspired us to learn, grow and lead ... It is our hope that the programs and opportunities created and supported by this gift will benefit generations to come."

In addition to his role on the board of trustees and his past role as an administrator, Yousry Sayed is a longtime UNCW faculty member, student mentor and campus volunteer. Linda Sayed graduated from UNCW in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, and she earned a master’s degree in education in 1985. 

Quality Chemical Laboratories and the Sayeds donated $5 million to UNCW in 2017 for new pharmaceutical sciences and chemistry programs. 

During Friday's announcement, Yousry Sayed said, "I'm sure people will ask, you know, why are you doing this? Well, you know, if you talk to friends, if you talk to family members, they talk about education and the importance of it, and how we could do better, right? What's the next thing? The health care system. So it was an easy decision for both of us."

At the end of his remarks on stage, he said, "All we’re doing is planting some seeds. We want these seeds to grow and make an impact."

The Sayeds' latest gift opens the door for the development of an academic health sciences center, which will fall under the umbrella of the UNCW College of Health & Human Services, Volety said. The center will foster medical education, medical research and community partnerships and engagement, he said.

Wilmington institutions and agencies have been focusing more intense efforts on boosting the area’s health care workforce recently. In addition to UNCW, Cape Fear Community College, New Hanover County Schools and the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Foundation have formed the New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership, with the help of $22 million in funding from the New Hanover Community Endowment. The money comes from the endowment’s strategic grants, meaning they are multi-year commitments, and UNCW and CFCC received $10 million each from the endowment grant.

Before Friday’s announcement, UNCW had already committed millions of dollars over the years to expand its health and human services department, including opening the $66 million Veterans Hall in 2020. The 145,000-square-foot facility houses health and human services degree programs.

At UNCW on Friday, local and state leaders thanked the Sayeds for their generosity during a catered, balloon- and flower-filled lunchtime fete that took place after the UNCW Board of Trustees' quarterly meeting.

Wendy Murphy, chair of the UNC Board of Governors, told the Sayeds, "Your support will be nothing short of transformative for our university."