NEWS Release
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NEWS Release |
UNCG NAMES CENTER FOR SUPPORTERS
H. MICHAEL WEAVER, F. JAMES BECHER JR.
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GREENSBORO—A research and office facility being created by The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has been named in honor of two Greensboro business leaders who have been long-time supporters of the campus.
The facility was recently named the “F. James Becher Jr. and H. Michael Weaver Research and Development Center” by the UNCG Board of Trustees. Located at 915 Northridge Road in Greensboro, the seven-acre property includes an office building, which has been renovated, and a warehouse that will be developed as a research facility.
“Mike Weaver and Jim Becher have been leaders and supporters of UNCG for many years,” said UNCG Chancellor Patricia Sullivan. “Their guidance and generosity have helped this campus to progress steadily toward its goal of becoming the Triad’s academic leader in teaching, research and service.
“This center will bear their names as we continue to move ahead in the areas of research and development. On behalf of the University, I want to express my appreciation to them for their leadership, generosity and service.”
Weaver and Becher gave the property to UNCG during the Second Century Campaign, which raised $55.4 million and concluded in January of 1999. Both are former members of the UNCG Board of Trustees and both served as chairman of the board. Becher is president and chief executive officer of Geneva Corporation of Greensboro. Weaver is chairman of the board of Weaver Investment Co. and serves on a number of corporate boards. Weaver also served as co-chair of the Second Century Campaign.
The renovated office facility, of approximately 20,000 square feet, is already housing two of UNCG’s most important operations, the Southeastern Regional Vision for Education (SERVE) and the Center for the Study of Social Issues (CSSI). Part of the property has also provided UNCG with a valuable off-campus parking location less than two miles from campus. The remaining warehouse space of approximately 61,000 square feet is in the design and planning stage as a research facility. For many years, the property was a distribution facility for Odell Hardware Company.
Becher, a well-known corporate executive and civic leader, founded Geneva Corporation in 1979. Geneva Corp. is a holding company that currently has several businesses in its portfolio operating as autonomous divisions. Becher formerly was chair of the Business Advisory Board of UNCG’s Joseph M. Bryan School of Business and Economics. In addition, he is a past member of the Board of Visitors of Guilford College and North Carolina A&T State University. He has been president of the Greensboro Center City Corporation as well as the Greensboro City Club. He has held various other civic leadership positions.
Weaver, widely known as a civic and business leader, is head of Weaver Investment Co. He has been an active supporter of UNCG for many years and in 1992 received one of the University’s Centennial Awards. The University also honored him with the creation of the Adelaide F. Holderness-H. Michael Weaver Award which recognizes North Carolinians for distinguished public service. In addition to his earlier service as a UNCG trustee, Weaver is a former president of the UNCG Excellence Foundation. He also has served on a number of other UNCG boards. Weaver served first as chair of the University Investment Committee and has been president of the UNCG Investment Fund Inc. He is a former chair of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and has held many other Greensboro civic leadership posts.
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