Alumni and Wife of Former Professor Makes Major Gift to the Endowment Created in Her Husband’s Name

When friends and admirers endowed a scholarship fund in honor of Myron Kelly in 2004, they had no way of knowing what the North Carolina State University professor and his wife, Sandra “Sandy” Kelly, would ultimately mean to students in the College of Natural Resources. 

The Dr. Myron Kelly Endowment came with Myron’s retirement, and he and Sandy became generous donors targeting student scholarships until his unexpected death in 2021. Now, two decades after it began, the endowment is getting new life from a bequest Sandy has made that will expand the number of scholarships available to College of Natural Resources students. She also made a bequest to the NC State Libraries Student Scholarship Fund.

“Myron and I always felt very strongly about education, and I realized I wanted our belief to continue helping students after I passed, too. I liked the idea that we can do good in the world long after we’re gone,” Sandy Kelly said.

The university isn’t likely to forget the good this couple has done for NC State students.

Living Life and Learning Together

In one way or another, Sandy has given a good portion of the last 55 years to the university. She moved here with Myron so he could pursue his Ph.D. in wood products engineering at NC State, which he earned in 1969. After three subsequent years in New York, the couple moved here again, this time so Myron could teach in his beloved College of Natural Resources. 

Meanwhile, Sandy worked as a legal secretary for 10 years or so before deciding to stay at home to raise their children. She eventually got a job as an administrative aid at an elementary school, and when education funding was cut, she temporarily worked as a part-time bank teller before finding employment with a married couple in association management. 

When the couple retired, Sandy took over a part of their business, becoming administrator for the state’s Landscape Contractors Registration Board and executive secretary of the North Carolina Association of Hearing Care Professionals. But once her and Myron’s three sons had graduated from college (one from NC State), it was Sandy’s turn.

“I didn’t have the opportunity to go to college when I was young, but I always wanted a college education. We’d had 12 years of paying tuition, so I decided I should use the money for my own tuition this time. I got my degree when I was in my early 50s,” Sandy Kelly said.

Sandy didn’t mind being older than her classmates except during one particular activity in a physical education course. “The only time it bothered me was PE. I had to take four classes of PE,” she said. “But the students were very nice. After they saw my grades, they started asking me to join their study groups.”

As she earned a degree in English with a philosophy minor, Myron was teaching in the Department of Wood and Paper Science (now Forest Biomaterials); they’d ride into campus together and often have lunch. He taught for 30 years and was named NC State Outstanding Teacher Award three times (1979, 1982, 1998) and NC State Alumni Distinguished Professor in 1986. 

“My husband loved teaching … He just liked influencing young professionals, helping them to be successful,” Sandy Kelly said.

Carrying a Legacy Forward

Sandy and Myron were married for 57 years. After his death, Sandy was determined to continue tending to the young people at their alma mater. 

Their funds have already made scholarships possible for many students over the years — including Spencer Mavrides ’25. Mavrides is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sustainable materials and technology with a minor in environmental sciences. 

“I’m incredibly grateful to the Kellys and everyone who has donated to the Dr. Myron Kelly Scholarship fund for helping me grow — academically and personally — into a proud member of the Wolfpack,” Mavrides said. “This scholarship empowers me to pursue my passion for sustainability while staying active in clubs and activities like Pack Powerlifting and the NC State Marching Band.”

One thing is certain: College of Natural Resources students and the businesses that employ them will feel the effects of Myron and Sandy Kelly’s commitment and generosity for decades to come.

This article was written by Cindy Dashnaw Jackson for the College of Natural Resources.