May 29
Way Endowment Is Transformational Gift for RichmondCC Students
May 29, 2026 - Buddy & Jean Way Guarantee Endowment donors said Richmond Community College is the nexus of all the things they wanted for honoring their parents.
Lee and Michael Way have a deep love and respect for their parents. They also love their hometown and value education. That is why the Buddy & Jean Way Guarantee Endowment at RichmondCC was a natural fit for the brothers.
Education is the tool that leads to lifelong success and opportunities. That gift should be attainable for anyone willing to put in the hard work to make it happen for themselves and their families.
The Way brothers said there is often financial support available for those in lower-income brackets, and those in the higher-income brackets don’t need financial support for education. Those living in the middle are the ones who often struggle when it comes to paying for higher education.
They described their parents as living in the middle-income bracket. They made too much money for grants but not enough to pay outright. However, they made sacrifices in their family to ensure that both Lee and Mike emerged from college debt-free.
Their joint mission now is to pay that same gift forward. Therefore, Way Scholars are those students who are top performers, but who are also ineligible for financial assistance in college.
When asked about why giving back to the communities in which they both live and serve is so important, Lee simply and humbly stated Matthew 6:1- 4. The Way family is not sharing their wealth with any organization; they are sharing God’s wealth. Additionally, Lee and his brother, Mike, consider each gift request thoughtfully and prayerfully so that they can make “transformational” gifts to organizations.
When this endowment was established at RichmondCC in 2024, it was the largest individual donation in the college’s history. Both Lee and Mike encourage others to view giving through the lens of “transformational gifting.” Donors are encouraged to do their homework and carefully evaluate the case for support of the organization, then determine what size gift could profoundly impact the work.
Dr. Wendy Kelly Jordan, Associate Vice President for Development at RichmondCC, reiterated that thought by saying, “Donors can give a hundred dollars here and there to many random organizations, but what if they selected ONE institution to give a substantial amount? How could that magnified gift substantially influence the work of that organization? That has absolutely happened at RichmondCC with the Buddy & Jean Way Guarantee Endowment.
“The Buddy & Jean Way Guarantee Endowment is a transformational gift to RichmondCC, and it allows 11 top-performing students to be part of the Way Scholar Class each academic year. We are grateful for the support of the Way family and humbled by their generosity,” Jordan added.
Lee Way is the president and owner of Pella Windows and Doors of North Carolina, so he wears many hats in his day-to-day life. Mr. Way accepts a daily “Shark Mentality” coined by Walter Bond. These are highly effective habits of sharks that make them successful, respected and thriving sea creatures. Sharks never stop moving forward; they always look up; they’re always learning; they are respectful of other sharks; they’re flexible; and they support those who need them.
The Shark Mentality is not only an attitude Mr. Way applies to his personal life, but also to his organization. He encourages all Way Scholars to lead with heart but navigate this world with Shark Mentality.