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Kelly Beth Hapgood smiling at the camera.

Relationships Guide Class Gift Agent

By Emily Parker

Relationships Guide Class Gift Agent

By Emily Parker

A s a prospective student, Kelly Beth Hapgood, ’06, sensed a welcoming atmosphere when she walked through a residence hall on her first visit to Meredith College. Relationships and her curiosity to learn more about emotions, connections, and the science behind them drew her to major in psychology. And in 2015, connections with friends led her to start her own law firm.

After graduating from Meredith, Hapgood attended Wake Forest University with the intention of applying for a clinical psychology Ph.D. program. As she learned more about herself she decided to go in a different direction. Law was a natural fit considering her interest in people, and her background in writing and research. After passing the NC Bar in 2011, she practiced law in North Carolina for two years.

In 2013 Hapgood’s husband’s job with Wells Fargo was relocated to Houston, Texas. After taking the Texas Bar Exam, Hapgood started working for a large international law firm in their litigation department. A couple of years later, Hapgood made the difficult decision to leave the firm after having her second child. She really struggled with the decision and wished there was a way to not leave the legal world behind.

Little did she know that relationships with friends would lead to her opening her own law firm, Kelly Beth Hapgood Law, PLLC. Her friends helped her to see there was a need for small business legal support, specifically geared toward female-owned and/or local start-ups.

“I now serve as outside general counsel to a handful of small businesses, and I’ve provided start-up and risk mitigation legal advice to dozens more, some of which are owned by Meredith College friends,” said Hapgood.

Meredith relationships have been important to Hapgood. “Staying connected to classmates as a class gift agent has also been a lot of fun. Those periodic touches give me an excuse to communicate with class members and learn where they are and what they’re up to.”

As class gift agent she encourages others to give, but her generous gifts have placed her in the Iris Society and Onyx Society.

“Financial support is essential to the College, like any institution, so it seems like the most effective way for me to show my gratitude for Meredith College and to ensure that it continues to be a launching pad for women for years to come.”

In addition, her husband’s company, Wells Fargo, matches her gift.

“We love that Wells Fargo matches our education-based donations. This is a generous benefit and an easy way to get extra money in the hands of the academic settings that matter most to our family.”

To learn if your company or your spouse’s company provides matching gifts contact Whitley Glosson at (919) 760-8373 or glossonw@meredith.edu.

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