News & Events

UNC Asheville's Pisgah House Named for Noted Civic Leader, Philanthropist

October 1, 2010

The UNC Asheville Board of Trustees recently honored noted civic leader Janice W. Brumit for her extensive work in the community by naming Pisgah House in her honor. Now known as the Janice W. Brumit Pisgah House at UNC Asheville, the multipurpose facility serves as the residence for UNC Asheville chancellors and as a venue for meetings and events hosted by the chancellor on behalf of the university.

Janice's husband, Joe Brumit, has made a generous bequest to UNC Asheville in honor of his wife's many years of service to the university and the community. In appreciation, the UNC Asheville Board of Trustees voted to name Pisgah House in her honor.

"Over the years, UNC Asheville has been blessed through the service and support of Joe and Janice Brumit," said UNC Asheville Board of Trustees Chair James Buckner. "The Brumits' generosity provides a powerful example of the bond that exists between philanthropy and quality higher education.

"UNC Asheville has been a major recipient of Janice Brumit's good works. Janice has contributed so very much to UNC Asheville, Western North Carolina and our people. We have all been fortunate to count on Janice as a friend and supporter," Buckner said.

Janice's husband, Joe, noted that he and his wife, having no children of their own, have worked to make a difference in other children's lives. "Janice has worked tirelessly and one of her many passions has been UNC Asheville. This gift to the university is in honor of Janice, who has given her heart, her soul, her time and her effort to this community."

Chancellor Anne Ponder said, "Our community knows that we have in Janice Brumit the kind of leader who builds social and economic capital. Janice is one of Asheville's great leaders who moves forward with integrity, commitment and great passion for her work."

Janice began her service to the university in 1998 as a member of the UNC Asheville Foundation Board. In 2001, she was appointed to the UNC Asheville Board of Trustees by then Gov. Michael Easley. She served as board chair from 2005-08 and remained an active board member until her second board term ended in 2009.

She currently serves as vice chair of the Mission Hospital Board of Directors, the executive chair of the HUB, and is a member of the Grove Arcade Public Market Foundation Board. Janice's past service includes 35 community boards and committees, including serving as a board member for the Community Foundation and Asheville City Schools Foundation, and as a committee chair for Asheville-Buncombe United Way and the Asheville Area Humane Society. She was the first woman to chair the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.