When Ling Gao, Ph.D., speaks about her son, Tao, her voice carries both pride and tenderness.
“He was very smart, but more than that, he had a very good heart,” she says with a smile. Her son graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2003 with an undergraduate degree in computer science.
After her son’s unexpected passing in 2018, Ling made a decision rooted in both love and purpose—to honor her son’s life by creating opportunities for others. Through the Tao Gao Endowed Scholarship Fund – established in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC) nearly two years ago – she has transformed her personal loss into lasting impact.
For students like biomedical engineering major Nicholas Cannon, the Tao Gao Memorial Scholarship has made a significant impact in his life. “Last semester, I was able to complete all of my courses with 4.0 GPA,” Cannon says. “This would not have been possible without the support and encouragement I received, including those that came with the Tao Gao scholarship, for which I am incredibly grateful.”
In just under two years, the Tao Gao Endowed Scholarship has supported Nicholas and several other students. And Ling has recently deepened her commitment to grow the scholarship, ensuring that Tao’s spirit lives on through each student it supports. She further strengthened that legacy through an estate gift, providing future support for the scholarship for generations to come.
“He liked to help people, and I think he would be very pleased,” Ling says.
For Ling, establishing the Tao Gao Scholarship Fund has become a cherished gift for her as well – the opportunity to impact the lives of students and continue her son’s legacy of generosity.
“The money will translate into something good,” Ling says. “You donate to the development of young students who have a better future, so they can contribute to society as well.”
Her giving reflects a powerful belief: that even in loss, it is possible to create opportunity, hope and a brighter future for others—and that impact can endure far beyond a lifetime. She hopes the Tao Gao Scholarship Fund will inspire others to create legacies of giving that can positively impact the futures of countless engineering and computing students just like her beloved son.
Visit the MCEC giving page if you would like to support Ling’s gift or would like more information on how to create an endowed scholarship fund.