SALISBURY, NC – Livingstone College has received a transformative $1 million scholarship gift from an anonymous donor in honor of Heather Patrek, whose extraordinary act of generosity has left a lasting impact on the College. 

Patrek, who served as a living kidney donor to Livingstone College President Dr. Anthony J. Davis, played a life-saving role in a journey that has deeply resonated across campus. During the 2025 Spring Commencement, Dr. Davis shared that he was in need of a kidney donor as he battled end-stage kidney failure. In November 2025, that call was answered by a stranger, Heather Patrek. 

In February 2026, Patrek was recognized during Livingstone College’s Founder’s Day Convocation and awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in acknowledgment of her compassion, selflessness, and commitment to serving humanity. 

As a non-endowed scholarship, the “Heather Rose Patrek Scholarship Fund” will play a critical role in supporting the ongoing growth, retention, and academic achievement of Livingstone students, ensuring that scholars have the resources needed to thrive both in the classroom and beyond. 

“This scholarship supports academic student achievement on the campus of Livingstone College – specifically, our Presidential Scholars initiative, our international students, and our H.O.P.E. Scholars who have been emancipated [aged] out of foster care.” said Dr. Anthony J. Davis, President and CEO of Livingstone College. “This transformative act of generosity aligns with Mrs. Patrek’s personal sacrifice, that ultimately saved my life.”  

Livingstone College remains committed to cultivating a learning environment where students are empowered to succeed and prepared for lifelong excellence as alumni: resilient, relevant, and ready.