WILMINGTON — The Upperman family plans to transfer its $1 million endowed scholarship fund from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington to Howard University. The decision follows a request from university leaders to alter the scholarship's language regarding support for African American students, which the family declined.

University leaders asked Linda Upperman Smith, a representative for the scholarship donor family, to remove the statement: "Special consideration will also be given to students who have demonstrated experience in or commitment to working with the African American community." Smith stated she was unwilling to approve the change.

"There's no way that we're going to not follow my father's wishes for the money to go to an African American student, so we're not changing the wording," Smith said. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington Office of General Counsel determined that 18 active scholarships, including the Upperman family's, did not comply with the UNC system's anti-diversity, equity and inclusion rules.

Smith discussed the situation with her adult sons before making the decision. "I discussed it with my adult sons, and we decided the climate may never change," she said. The endowment distributes approximately $40,000 annually in scholarships, representing 4 percent of its total value. While the scholarship is being moved, three current Upperman scholars at the university will continue to receive funds until their graduation.

The scholarship was originally established to honor the Upperman family. Smith plans to move the endowment to Howard University, an institution with a connection to the family; Leroy Upperman attended medical school there.