The University serves Virginia, the nation, and the world by preparing responsible citizen-leaders; advancing, preserving, and disseminating knowledge; and providing world-class patient care.
All gifts of any kind help secure the University’s place as a premier institution of learning and make it possible for our students, faculty, and researchers to shape a brighter future.
You can give to all 12 schools across Grounds. The possibilities are endless for supporting our students, faculty, and programs. Together, we will find the way forward.
You can join the growing number of alumni and friends who invest now in the University’s future by including UVA as a beneficiary of their wills, charitable trusts, and retirement plans. Gifts like these can offer you and your family significant tax benefits as well as greater financial flexibility in meeting your personal and philanthropic goals.
The Honor the Future campaign, the largest in University history, concluded in 2025, thanks to thousands of loyal supporters. Its impact on students, faculty, facilities, and research reaches across Charlottesville, Wise County, and Northern Virginia as it continues to advance the school in its third century of service to the commonwealth, nation, and world.
William Carlton Eacho Jr. (Col ’45) had two passions in life—the University of Virginia and the game of golf. He was Naval ROTC while on Grounds, and as ROTC captain lived on the Lawn. After graduation he was stationed at Pearl Harbor and convinced his father to drive his clubs to Newport News and get them aboard a ship bound for the base.
Bill’s daughter Peggy Eacho Fechnay (Ed ’74, Darden ’76) has early memories of her dad bringing her and her brother, Bill Eacho III, to the golf course. “I am a great putter to this day because I think that was his way of babysitting us,” she said. “He’d put us on the putting green with the putter and balls and we would just play there.”
“I didn’t realize that when I married Bill, I was marrying the University of Virginia,” said Linda Eacho. “We came back for every football and basketball game. And he would always ask, ‘Why is there not a women’s golf team?’”
The couple were living in Texas while Bill received treatment at the the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center when Terry Holland, athletic director, paid him a visit. Bill raised the same question to Holland and surprised him by committing to fund the team.
Bill persuaded his son to fulfill the pledge should he not be able. “I think it was him getting even with me for not going to UVA,” he said. “He thought I should have gone to UVA over Duke.” In turn, the younger Bill convinced Peggy to also contribute. “At least she has two degrees from the University,” he joked.
The family was recognized at halftime of a football game. “I think that walk on the football field was a highlight for Dad,” remembered Peggy. “He turned to me and said, ‘I’ve always wanted to get on this field.’ He loved that part.”
Bill died in 2001 having taken the steps to create the University’s 25th intercollegiate athletic team. The University hired coach Jan Mann in 2002, and the Virginia women’s golf team played its first season in 2002-03. Since that season, the team has captured a pair of ACC Championships in 2015 and 2016 while three Cavaliers have claimed ACC individual titles including Brittany Altomare (Col ’13) in 2013, Lauren Coughlin (Ed ’16) in 2016, and Amanda Sambach (Col ’25) in 2023.
The 2024-25 season saw the Cavaliers advance to match play at the NCAA Championships and record the program’s third-best finish at the championships in its history. Virginia has finished as high as fourth at NCAAs in 2011 and 2012.
Jaclyn LaHa and Kiera Bartholomew
Cavalier golfers Jaclyn LaHa (Col ’27), from Pleasanton, California, and Kiera Bartholomew (Col ’27), from Wake Forest, North Carolina, are current receiving support from the endowed fund established by the Eachos. LaHa recorded the first individual title of her collegiate career at the University of Maryland’s Terps Invitational, where the team won their first title of the season. At the 2026 ACC Women’s Golf championship she led the way for Virginia individually to tie for 11th on the individual leaderboard.
“I still get letters from the girls thanking me for the scholarship,” said Linda. “I love getting those thank-you notes.”
