11 RichmondCC Students Recognized as Way Scholars

Eleven Richmond Community College students who received the Buddy and Jean Way Guarantee Endowment scholarship were recently recognized at a special ceremony at the Cole Auditorium.

Established five years ago, the Buddy and Jean Way Guarantee Endowment is an annual gift to the college from the Way Family that is earmarked for 11 top-performing students who enrolled through the RichmondCC Guarantee program. Their exceptional academic performance separates them from traditional Guarantee students and allows their tuition and fees to be covered by the Way Endowment.

This year’s 11 Way Scholars are Johana Zapata Morales, Sarah Thompson, Liam Stubbs, Jamesyn Quick, Kevin Molina Cordova, Daris McNeill, Mason Long, Gernai Johnson, Josh Hayden, Harley Davis, and Alexander Leon Hernandez.

At the private reception at the Cole last week, these Way Scholars met Way family members, including Lee and Mike Way who established the endowment in honor of their parents.

The Way Family has a deep-rooted history in Richmond County, particularly in education. Jean Way taught for 33 years in Richmond County Schools before retiring but then went back to work part-time for six years after retirement to continue serving the students of Richmond County. Now in full retirement, she volunteers with Our Daily Bread and serves on the RichmondCC Foundation Board. 

The late Buddy Way began his professional life as a teacher in Richmond County but changed careers when he went on to work as a judicial court manager for N.C. Adult Probation and Parole, a position he maintained for over three decades.

“Both Mr. and Mrs. Way were committed to service over self by working with the most vulnerable populations in our community — children and incarcerated adults,” said Dr. Wendy Kelly Jordan, Associate Vice President for Development at RichmondCC. “They were surely committed to making Richmond County a better place to live, to work, to serve and to raise a family.”

Lee owns Pella Windows of North Carolina. Mike worked for Richmond County Schools as a teacher and athletic director before leaving to pursue his real passion with a career in golf.  In addition to golfing, Mike coaches softball at Grace Christian School in Sanford.

“Lee and Mike Way chose to honor their parents in a way that will impact students, and ultimately families yet to be realized, for decades to come.  We thank the Way Family for choosing our students, our college and our Foundation as the beneficiaries of this transformational gift,” Jordan said.

Give Today

There are many ways to give to the RichmondCC Foundation and provide life-changing support to students. Contact Dr. Wendy Kelly Jordan at (910) 410-1807 or wkjordan@richmondcc.edu.