By Caroline Barnhill
For all intents and purposes, the Salmons have enjoyed a wonderful life. William, who graduated from NC State’s Poole College of Management in 1992, and his wife, Angela, a UNC graduate, enjoyed fruitful careers and a large family. Angela worked as a certified registered nurse anesthetist at Wake Med Hospital for 27 years and William started an insurance business in 1998 and sold it in 2012 to Marsh & McLennan Agency – where he works today as a senior vice president.
They raised their family in Raleigh, and two of their four children went on to graduate from NC State. Their sons, Will ‘22, graduated from the College of Natural Resources, and Owen ‘22, graduated from Poole College with a degree in accounting. Owen is currently in the Jenkins Master of Accounting program.
For more than 20 years, the Salmon family have been Wolfpack Club supporters, and have enjoyed giving back to the university’s athletics programs. Years later, they decided they wanted to give back on the academic side, as well.
NC State has been a big part of our family and provided us with many opportunities over the years. We wanted to explore other ways of giving back.
“NC State has been a big part of our family and provided us with many opportunities over the years. We wanted to explore other ways of giving back,” William Salmon says. “We met with folks in the advancement office and began setting up a scholarship for Poole undergraduate students. My company, Marsh & McLennan Agency, has been very supportive in giving to that scholarship fund, as well.”
Their original gift went to the college’s Opportunity Fund to allow students with financial needs to participate in enrichment opportunities like study abroad. However, seeing the increased cost of education across the board – and recognizing the critical role higher education plays in securing prosperous futures for students – they wanted to change it up a bit.
“We wanted to transition our giving into a needs-based scholarship that specifically helps students who, for various reasons, stepped away from college for a period of time and need the financial support to re-enroll and complete their degree,” Angela Salmon adds. “We’d also like those funds to support transfer students, first-generation students or other students facing financial challenges.”
As to why the Salmons selected Poole College as the recipient of their giving, the reason was simple.
“We obviously have a personal history with the college, but beyond that, we’re so impressed with what the college is doing in both its graduate and undergraduate programs,” William Salmon says. “Beyond that, a business degree is so valuable. Skills you learn as part of the college provide life skills that carry far beyond an academic and even professional setting.”
And their philanthropy has the entire family’s support.
“Our four children know we’re doing this and support our desire to give back to others,” Angela Salmon shares. “We hope, as they begin their own careers, that they’ll see the value in giving back and choose to do the same one day.”
Because, William Salmon adds, when you’ve been blessed with opportunities, it’s your responsibility to help other people have them as well.
We believe that if you’re in a position to help others – whether that’s financially or even volunteering or mentoring – the rewards are always far greater than the sacrifice.
“It’s important that we are good stewards of the resources we’ve been given,” he says. “We believe that if you’re in a position to help others – whether that’s financially or even volunteering or mentoring – the rewards are always far greater than the sacrifice. So no matter the amount, start somewhere.”
