Four funds, one donor, 143+ opportunities

October 8, 2025

In 2024, the Herbert and Amelia Brown Undergraduate Research Fund in Botany supported biology major Alexander Smith's senior research project on cicadas. (Photo by Jess Abel)

What do an art major, an undergraduate researcher in botany, a music major and a pre-business economics major have in common? They are all supported by funds established by one donor: Herbert Mayo ’65.

Mayo, who has a Ph.D. in economics and is a retired professor of finance at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), is straightforward, to the point and not one to seek the spotlight. Although he began his undergraduate career as a journalism major at Carolina, he switched to a major in economics after a year and a half. He received his doctorate in economics from Rutgers University in 1970 and taught at Rider University before transferring to TCNJ. He has written two textbooks — one an introduction to finances and the other an introduction to investments.

Given his career in business and economics, it may be surprising that not only did Mayo create the Herbert Brown Mayo Undergraduate Research Fund in Economics, but he also created three other funds in the College of Arts and Sciences, across multiple areas of study: the Mildred Brown Mayo Undergraduate Research Fund in Music, the Beatrice B. Pearman Undergraduate Research Fund in Art and the Herbert and Amelia Brown Undergraduate Research Fund in Botany.

The impetus behind these gifts is rooted in his family history. When asked why he chose to support these specific departments, Mayo explained that each fund honors a family member who had a connection to a particular field. Mayo’s father, Ernest, was an entrepreneur, starting his own home-building company. His mother, Mildred, loved singing, “hence the fund in music.” His aunt, Beatrice Pearman, was a painter, and Mayo owns several of her pieces. Herbert and Amelia Brown were Mayo’s grandparents; his grandfather was a florist and owned a floral shop, which inspired a fund for botany.

His motivation for giving is just as clear-cut: “I can’t take it with me, and it is nice to support students. I like to think it helps.”

Indeed, it has helped. Over 143 students in the departments of music, biology, art and art history, and economics have been supported through Mayo’s funding.

Nicholas Hottell ’26, a chemistry major and mathematics and Japanese double minor, was a summer 2025 recipient of the Herbert and Amelia Brown Undergraduate Research Fund in Botany. He shared, “I am very thankful for the support I received through this fund. Donations to research allow me to continue doing what I love and help me pursue my dreams of making a positive impact through research. I appreciate Dr. Mayo investing in students like me and in the future of science!”

Jocelyn Neal, chair of the department of music, shared the impact of Mayo’s fund: “The Mildred Brown Mayo Undergraduate Research Fund in Music is simply transformative. Our faculty can tell our students, ‘yes, you can turn that idea into a summer research project’ or ‘produce that composition and performance’ or ‘do the fieldwork for your honors thesis.’ It provides for a whole new level of educational opportunity.”

Mayo’s funds reflect the variety of academic disciplines in the College that help students receive a well-rounded liberal arts education.

“Herbert’s selfless generosity quietly provides meaningful research opportunities in several departments, offering students the opportunity to explore a fascinating array of areas of the arts and sciences. His gifts exemplify the meaning of a liberal arts education,” said Jim White, Craver Family Dean.

Although Mayo is modest about his intentions, the impact of his gifts is meaningful and lasting.

“It is not for me to determine what students take and how they use the donations,” he said. “I had no specific purpose other than to recognize the members of my family with defined areas for students to receive help.”

By Ashlyn Coelho-Allen ’16