Nick Kantsios

What is your relationship to the Belk College of Business?

I am an alumnus and donor of the Belk College of Business.

When did you graduate from UNC Charlotte?

I graduated in the fall of 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

What is your current occupation?

I am a sales consultant representing several companies in the technology industry.

Why did you establish a scholarship and why was it important to you?

The George S. Kantsios Scholarship was established in my brother’s name to remember the impact George had on those around him. Education was very important to him.  George graduated from UNC Charlotte in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and he was a member of the professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi. He was active in his service on the Board of Directors of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association and was a leader of the Belk College of Business Alumni Interest Group for many years. We felt that establishing this scholarship would be a special way to remember him and a way to give back to the community.

Why do you think scholarship support is important to students and why now?

This scholarship fund was structured in such a way to award students in the College of Business that work part time and who are involved in the community. It is for those students who are in need of financial assistance.

Why do you think financial aid and/or merit support is important?

There are many young people who cannot afford a college education and financial aid is critical to helping them find the funds necessary to accomplish their educational goals, especially today with the high cost of education.

How has setting up this scholarship affected you?

It was special to be involved with setting up this scholarship fund in my brother’s honor.  Any scholarship fund established at UNC Charlotte has to reach a certain limit before any monies are awarded. With the support of family and friends, the fund reached this limit in a little over three years which I was told is extremely rare, as it normally takes much longer. 

The first award was made in the fall of 2015. There is no way to describe the feeling of going through this process and seeing the first award given. I know my brother would be smiling.

What advice do you have for those who would like to start their own scholarship?

Giving back and helping others is one of the most fulfilling activities you can experience in your lifetime. We were trying to think of ways we could establish some remembrance for George when someone suggested setting up a scholarship fund. It was a perfect way to positively impact others and have something in his name that is perpetual.

Have you met any of the scholarship recipients?

We were able to meet with the first recipient, Joshua Antonious '16, and it was very special. This scholarship was established around criteria that best exemplified those qualities my brother had. The first recipient was an ideal student who met the criteria and you could tell he would make an impact on those around him the way my brother did. You can’t ask for anything better.

What do you hope for Belk College students who receive this scholarship?

I hope those students give back and help others in some way.

Learn more about the George S. Kantsios Educational Scholarship