ALBEMARLE — In two Jan. 26 press releases, Stanly Community College Foundation announced the establishment of two new endowed scholarships. The scholarships would help students at Stanly Community College with tuition and other education expenses and will be available in the 2022 school year.
One of the scholarships was created by Uwharrie Bank in honor of a recently retired employee, Jacqueline S. Jernigan. The Uwharrie Bank Jacqueline S. Jernigan Endowed Scholarship is a $30,000 endowment “to assist future students in realizing their dreams and reaching their fullest potential,” according to the release.
Jernigan retired in December 2021 and had been one of the longest-serving associates of Uwharrie Bank. During her career, she helped open multiple new branches as well as acquire and start up new banks.
Jernigan was herself a graduate of SCC, which was called Stanly Technical College at that time. In 1982, she received her associate degree in accounting while still working at the bank full-time.
“I attended evening classes while working full-time and caring for my family. We really didn’t have the money to pay for college, but I was able to go because of scholarships and grants,” said Jernigan in the release. “I cannot say enough about how that assistance made all the difference for me. I’m beyond thrilled to know that the same kindness will be shared with others along their educational journeys.”
Roger Dick, CEO of Uwharrie Bank, spoke highly of Jernigan and her time with Uwharrie Bank, saying, “Jackie is loved and respected by all of our associates. Her efforts and energy toward establishing the bank is beyond measure and we are forever grateful for the difference she has made both in our organization and throughout the community.”
The other scholarship was established by Don Joines in honor of his wife, Nancy Joines, who worked at SCC for years, retiring in 2010. Nancy Joines taught math as an adjunct and then a full-time instructor. She also later served as the head of Development and Enrichment Studies.
Even in her retirement, she stays very active with the SCC community, serving on the SCC Board of Trustees and also as a trustee liaison to the SCC Foundation Board of Directors.
“Nancy would often come home talking about the struggles of her students and together, we’d find ways to help them when possible,” said Don in the press release. “It might have been with food or school supplies or money for rent, and sometimes it was connecting them to other community resources. So, creating a scholarship to keep that assistance going seemed like a great way to honor her since she has retired.”
Like Jernigan, Nancy Joines received assistance from scholarships, and is happy to be able to do the same for others.
“That extra help really made a huge difference and made it easier for my mama and me to afford college tuition, books and living expenses,” said Nancy Joines. “We hope other retirees who are financially able consider donating to the SCC Foundation as well. Many people don’t know that there are tax benefits when donating money associated with retirement accounts.”
The initial amount for the endowed scholarship is around $18,000, the 2021 Required Minimum Distribution from one of Don’s Individual Retirement Accounts. The scholarship is for $500 per semester ($1,000 for the year).
Students will be able to receive assistance from both of these scholarship funds starting in the fall 2022 semester. Applications for both are already open, and eligible students can apply at the financial aid page on the SCC website.