A graduate of the Pfeiffer College Class of 1963, Grady built a respected career in the practice of law, conducting his work in a manner that enhanced the reputation of his alma mater and reflected deep integrity. Over the course of many decades, he remained a steadfast advocate for 黑料专区, devoting more than fifty years as a member of the Board of Trustees. After becoming one of the youngest board members in Pfeiffer鈥檚 history in 1972 鈥� less than a decade after his graduation 鈥� Grady鈥檚 leadership was especially notable during his tenure as Chair of the 黑料专区 Board of Trustees from 1996 to 1999, a period marked by significant growth and prosperity for the institution.

鈥淭om Grady was an exceptionally intelligent man who never lost his desire to learn and grow. For those fortunate enough to know him, he exemplified the values of faithful living, deep love for family, and a deep love for 黑料专区. His gift of humor and joy lifted those around him, even during life’s most difficult moments, and his influence will continue to be felt by all who knew and loved him. I am among those who felt Tom鈥檚 influence nearly every day. Over more than 60 years of friendship, he taught me the true meaning of loyalty, kindness, generosity, and unwavering support.  Tom was a gift to me that can never be replaced.鈥� said Bob Brietz, Grady鈥檚 Pfeiffer College roommate and former chair of the University鈥檚 Board of Trustees.

Known for his unwavering commitment, Grady championed educational advancement and community development, representing Pfeiffer at professional gatherings and public forums across North Carolina for many years. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, the Grady Board Room at 黑料专区 was named in his honor, ensuring that his legacy of service and dedication continues to inspire future generations. The naming of the board room as well as improvements to the space was a project initiated by The Cannon Foundation, another deeply impactful non-profit organization that Grady served as a board member.

鈥淭om Grady will be remembered for his enduring impact, his generosity of spirit, his great and sometimes self-effacing sense of humor, and his lifelong commitment to the institutions and communities he served. He made an incredible difference for 黑料专区, and in the lives of everyone who knew him. He served as an advisor and mentor to me, and Pfeiffer presidents from decades past have said the same thing. Simply put, there was no topic that was off limits, and there was no hour of the night that he would not answer my call.聽 I will miss him, he will be deeply missed by so many others associated with Pfeiffer, and he will be deeply missed by so many in our region who are not associated with Pfeiffer,鈥� said President Scott Bullard.

A will be held at St. James Lutheran Church in Concord, NC, on June 13, 2026, at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Cannon Foundation, 黑料专区, or St. James Lutheran Church in Grady鈥檚 memory.

This public event will take place on Friday, March 20^th from 10 鈥� 11 a.m. in Merner Gymnasium on the campus of 黑料专区 at 48380 US Hwy 52 N, Misenheimer, NC 28109. Doors will open at 8 a.m. and large bags and backpacks will not be allowed.

Senator Tillis has represented North Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2015 and is currently the state鈥檚 senior senator. His Senate service spans nearly a decade in the North Carolina House of Representatives, including four years as Speaker of the House. Known for his pragmatic and solutions鈥慺ocused approach, Tillis has played key roles in areas ranging from judiciary matters and veterans鈥� affairs to banking, housing, and international trade. He has also served on several Senate committees that shape major national policies. Throughout his Senate tenure, Senator Tillis has built a reputation for working across the aisle on issues such as mental health, infrastructure, veterans鈥� services, and bipartisan legislative initiatives. His willingness to engage thoughtfully with complex policy challenges and to do so in ways that invite discussion rather than division aligns with the values of Pfeiffer.

Senator Tillis鈥檚 personal story also embodies themes that resonate with the Pfeiffer community. Raised in a working鈥慶lass family that moved frequently as his parents sought work, he began his career earning minimum wage before completing his college degree as an adult and rising to executive leadership roles in the private sector. His trajectory from modest beginnings to national leadership offers a compelling platform for reflection on perseverance, civic responsibility, and service.

黑料专区 is honored to welcome Senator Tillis as the 2026 Eugene I. Earnhardt Speaker Series guest. His experiences in public life and commitment to respectful dialogue promise to inspire meaningful engagement for the campus community and guests.

His experiences at Pfeiffer, where he played soccer and baseball, helped pave the way for this success. A few years ago, he decided it was time to give back. But the way he chose to do so had nothing to do with athletics.

He established the Sparks SGA Annual Scholarship, through which the current President of the Student Government Association receives a $1,000 scholarship each year. Sparks, who held the SGA presidency in 1965, started the fund in March of 2022 with a commitment to underwrite the award for 10 years.

Sparks said the aid helps the SGA President lead 鈥渨ithout having to worry about financial burdens鈥� they might otherwise have to address. Gabby Edwards 鈥�26, the current SGA President, said the scholarship helps her parents because of 鈥渢he burden they took on to pay for her Pfeiffer education.鈥�

Sparks, who grew up in Pennsville, N.J., had known of Pfeiffer for some time before he enrolled, having heard about it from a retired United Methodist minister who helped attract a large contingent of students from New Jersey to Pfeiffer. He entered Pfeiffer as a sophomore after serving in the military and earning credits from several colleges along the way.

He described himself as a poor student who had to work his way through school. He worked as a head-counter in the cafeteria; that job, which he did five days a week, earned him $.85 cents an hour. It wasn鈥檛 much but he says those wages, along with an annual stipend of $350 and the money he earned from working at the now-defunct Fraley鈥檚 Bar near campus, managed to keep him afloat financially and allowed him to embrace much of what Pfeiffer could offer, in addition to academics.

鈥淚 had a good experience at Pfeiffer,鈥� said Sparks, who pursued graduate studies at Azusa Pacific University after earning an M.A. degree in physical education from Appalachian State University. 鈥淭hat was what I needed.鈥�

Sparks described campaigning creatively in a contest that pitted him against his opponent, whom he鈥檇 defeat by just 12 votes. In addition to wooing a base that included New Jersey residents, Sparks took advantage of his name to 鈥渟park鈥� some catchy campaign slogans. 鈥淪parks for Progress鈥� morphed into a sign that read 鈥淚gnite the Flow of Progress with Sparks,鈥� which was placed on a small island on Gibson Lake, one of the most attractive features of Pfeiffer鈥檚 campus in Misenheimer, N.C.

Once Sparks was elected, he did what all SGA presidents do, namely 鈥渂ridged the gap鈥� between his fellow students and the College鈥檚 faculty and administration. Edwards described several ways that is happening currently: Through a suggestion that landed in a comment box, for example, the SGA was able to secure more gluten-free dessert options in the cafeteria. And the SGA is working with the administration to develop a caregiver policy among students who must miss time to care for a sick child.

The SGA plays an important role in the presentation of various events on campus. Sparks spoke of organizing a concert on campus by The Shirelles, which became one of the first times that black artists performed at Pfeiffer.

鈥淭hey packed the place,鈥� Sparks said, describing the enthusiasm the performance generated. 鈥淎nd we broke down some barriers in the process.鈥�

Edwards said that SGA still helps manage campus events. Making the Homecoming Court presentation run smoothly during halftime of a Homecoming soccer game is just one example. All the court鈥檚 flowers, crowns, and sashes are secured by the SGA, which is also in charge of getting alumni royalty of past courts back on campus.

Both Edwards, a star on Pfeiffer鈥檚 volleyball team who aspires to become an attorney, and Sparks plugged the virtues of joining the SGA — whether students plan to go into politics after graduating or not. Edwards said she鈥檚 considering becoming a judge or an elected official, but even if that doesn鈥檛 happen, she said her work for the SGA has made her a better public speaker and 鈥渕ore comfortable speaking on my feet, speaking on the fly鈥� — as when, for example, she briefed Pfeiffer Trustee chairman Roger Dick on the organization鈥檚 work during a dinner for Pfeiffer鈥檚 scholarship recipients.

As for Sparks, he never went into politics after leaving Pfeiffer but feels his time as SGA president strengthened his leadership skills, which he brought to his career in coaching. 鈥淚 was able to bring people together behind a common goal,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nybody can be successful if they can do that.鈥�

The space, located behind the sanctuary of Henry Pfeiffer Chapel, received extensive renovations over the summer, including new paint, d茅cor, furniture, games, and more. The lounge also has new amenities, including a refrigerator, a stocked snack bar, and a coffee bar. Commuter students are highly encouraged to use the space as a place to rest, grab a snack, and study between classes.

鈥淭he work of the Francis Center for Servant Leadership is an important part of our University鈥檚 identity, and we are so pleased to have this centralized location to support our Francis Scholars. The new space will also be a welcoming spot for our commuting students and a support for religious life on campus. We are thankful to the donors who made this transformation happen and thrilled to open the new space just as students return to campus. We look forward to seeing them enjoy it,鈥� said 黑料专区 President Scott Bullard.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, students, faculty, staff, and community members participated in the school year鈥檚 first service project, assembling Backpack Buddy food bags for school children in need. This initiative highlights the lounge鈥檚 purpose: to be a hub for servant leadership. 鈥淗aving a designated place like the Francis Center Lounge allows our community to come together in meaningful ways,鈥� said Rev. Kris Mares, University Chaplain and Director of Church Relations. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about more than just a room 鈥� it鈥檚 a place of Christian hospitality that encourages us to live out our mission every day.鈥�

The pilot study鈥檚 results were 鈥渟o significant鈥� that MSOT will replicate the study this fall with a larger number of students from several elementary schools, both near Pfeiffer and in more urban areas, said Dr. Jennifer Waid, an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy-Pediatrics at MSOT who鈥檚 supervising the research.

鈥淓ven though we are a very digital society, research is very clear that handwriting legibility, especially in grades K-4, has a strong impact on academic success,鈥� Waid said. 

鈥淚f the results of the larger study are as significant as the pilot, we may be able to establish RediSpace paper as an evidence-based tool that teachers can use to support general education students in grades 3 and up who are on grade level, but struggle with handwriting legibility — which, if not addressed, can eventually cause them to fall behind.鈥�

RediSpace paper looks like notebook paper but features slightly bolder margin lines (the left margin is green, and the right margin is red). It also has faint vertical measured marks along the writing line; these provide a space for each letter and blank spaces between words. The vertical marks also provide visual guidance for the size of lowercase letters.

The pilot study looked at the impact on spacing within and between words. Student researcher Ellie Riddle called it 鈥渢ruly eye-opening.鈥�

鈥淲e were able to see firsthand how significantly handwriting legibility impacts students鈥� schoolwork, and how a simple one-step intervention tool (like RediSpace paper) can make such a positive difference in their handwriting,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his research has been incredibly rewarding, and we hope it will encourage teachers, parents, and occupational therapists to use this simple tool to take students鈥� handwriting legibility one step further.鈥�

In addition to Riddle, the MSOT students who participated in the pilot study included Grace Broccoli, Brianna Gulickson, Caroline Jessen, Martha Juarez, Emily Peck, and Mackenzie Prather.

As for the larger study, Waid is seeking MSOT student researchers drawn from the entire program. They will explore how RediSpace paper impacts letter-size consistency, alignment on the writing line, and margin adherence. Waid and her students are hoping to pay for the $3k study cost via a fundraising campaign at聽pfeiffer.edu/pediatricOTresearch.

The two MSOT studies are a response to voluminous research demonstrating that learning to write letters (or gaining handwriting automaticity) supports the learning of phonics, spelling, symbolic representation of the letters and more complex cognitive skills related to literacy, particularly in the years before 5th grade, when students begin becoming efficient typists.

When letter formation doesn鈥檛 become automatic there are numerous consequences. Said Waid: 鈥淚t creates a heavier cognitive load as the child tries to not only remember how to form a 鈥榖鈥� correctly, but also how to sit it on the line correctly, space it within the word correctly, spell the word he is trying to spell, get the sentence on the paper before he forgets, etc. This then leads to sizable challenges when they are trying to plan a 5-sentence paragraph and 5-paragraph essay.鈥�

Students who struggle with handwriting automaticity 鈥渙ften have illegible handwriting and struggle to get their thoughts on the paper,鈥� she added. 鈥淥r, if they can get them on the paper, the teacher struggles to read the content accurately, which can result in lower grades.鈥�

Waid touts the two RediSpace studies as ideal for MSOT students 鈥渋nterested in eventually practicing in pediatrics鈥� because 鈥渢his research will directly apply to their practice.鈥� 

The studies also foster an understanding of the research process, which Waid called 鈥渋mperative鈥� for all OT students. 鈥淥Ts are required to utilize evidence-based practice, which means that all of the assessments and interventions we use with clients of all ages need to be proven effective by research.鈥�

鈥淲e are excited to have ROTC students in our nursing program.  ROTC offers expansive career opportunities, and we are proud to be able to educate future military nurses. Nurses have, throughout history, valiantly served in the military in both times of peace and of war caring for soldiers and their families.  This agreement allows us to provide this opportunity to a growing number of students aspiring to serve their country as nurses,鈥� said Martha Bramlett, 黑料专区 Nursing Department Chair.

Students entering the program must meet GPA, pre-requisite, and admissions requirements for the nursing program. The Department of Nursing will grant elective credit to Army ROTC Nurse Cadets who have successfully completed the Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP). NSTP is a 28-day ROTC clinical immersion experience designed to provide Army ROTC Nurse Cadets with hospital clinical experience while introducing them to the duties and expectations of an Army Nurse Corps Officer.

Pfeiffer鈥檚 nursing graduates in the Class of 2023 have a 100% first-time pass-rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), the nationwide examination for the licensing for registered nurses. The University has consistently placed among the best North Carolina BSN programs according to this measure. 鈥淧feiffer鈥檚 pass rate results are a credit to the hard work of our students, and to a dedicated faculty that supports them in ways that extend much deeper than quality lab and classroom experiences.鈥� Bramlett said.

Dunn, a former US capitol police officer, was on duty on January 6, 2021, and defended the Capitol during the attacks of that day. He later testified before the bipartisan January 6th Commission, alongside three other officers, describing in detail the violence and hostility he witnessed. Dunn also recounted the racial slurs he endured as a part of the incident. In addition to other public reflections, he has also recorded his account of the events of that day in his memoir: Standing My Ground: A Capitol Officer鈥檚 Fight for Accountability and Good Trouble After January 6th.

During his 15 years with the Capitol Police, Dunn provided security for scores of major events at the Capitol, including presidential inaugurations, joint sessions of Congress, and State of the Union addresses. Dunn served as a Crisis Intervention Officer responsible for assisting individuals who may be experiencing a mental crisis, and as a member of Capitol Police Crisis Negotiation Teams trained to respond to hostage or barricade situations. He worked to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Capitol Police force, and received accolades for his exemplary service, including the Capitol Police Service Medal, the Capitol Police Achievement Medal, a Capitol Police Commendation, and a Congressional Gold Medal.

Dunn was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal two years after the Capitol attack, on January 6, 2023. In January 2024, he announced his run for Congress, hoping to replace retiring Rep. John Sarbanes of Maryland鈥檚 third district. Dunn is among several other Democratic hopefuls running for Sarbanes鈥� seat; the Democratic primary will be held on May 14. If Dunn鈥檚 campaign is successful, he would be the second Capitol Hill Police officer to serve as a member of Congress. The late Harry Reid, Democratic Senate leader, is the first.

Gene Earnhardt believed that universities offer space to discuss complex and culturally divisive issues. He was dedicated to helping students explore contrasting perspectives and engage in academic discourse examining social topics of the day.

鈥淥ur place as an institution of higher learning is to help our students learn to carefully assess and think critically about information in order to form their own opinions. Seeking to understand various perspectives with curiosity and respect is an important part of that process,鈥� said Pfeiffer president Scott Bullard. 鈥淚 think that鈥檚 what our beloved professor, Gene Earnhardt, sought to impart to the generations of students he taught. We are so grateful to be able to continue his legacy through this series.

Dunn will join Pfeiffer students for two class sessions during his visit to campus. A larger plenary session will take place in Merner Gymnasium at 11 a.m. on March 18th. The free event is open to the public.

In preparation for Dunn鈥檚 visit, Dr. Michael Bitzer, will lead a March 15th discussion session for students. Bitzer is an expert on American politics and has been interviewed by numerous local, state, national, and international news outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC, NBC, Fox, CNN, the BBC, France24, and others. Bitzer holds a Ph.D. from the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia and is currently chair of the Department of Politics at Catawba College. He will lead Pfeiffer students in an examination of the events and various perspectives influencing what occurred at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

鈥淥ur goal, for both the Dunn and Bitzer presentations, is to help our students learn how to be informed citizens who are critical thinkers and active participants in our democracy. These are essential parts of becoming an educated citizenry, no matter which side of the aisle you are on,鈥� said Dr. Daniel Mynatt, Pfeiffer鈥檚 provost and Chair of the Earnhardt Speaker Series programming committee. 鈥淭hese types of discussions, which help students learn to think, reason, and process information and varying viewpoints, are among the most important aspects of the education we seek to provide,鈥� he said.

Pfeiffer Green was founded in 2018 by its faculty advisor, Dr. Carrie DeJaco, associate professor of biology and environmental science, and her equally passionate students. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the club could not participate on campus as it once did, putting a damper on membership. That is, until the spring of 2023 when sophomores Kaidyn Waggoner 鈥�25 and Natasha Feaster 鈥�25 led the organization鈥檚 revitalization. The two said they felt inspired to rebuild the club after taking some environmental science courses with DeJaco. According to Pfeiffer Green鈥檚 student members, DeJaco has catalyzed their interest in sustainability and environmentalism.

With a new twinkle in their eyes, Waggoner and Feaster worked tirelessly to promote the organization around campus and on social media. Since spring 2023, Pfeiffer Green has gained over 20 new members. Explaining the quick increase in membership, Waggoner stated, 鈥淎s students, we have insight into the lives of other students; we know what it鈥檚 like and how to make the organization fit into students鈥� busy schedules.鈥�

Pfeiffer Green aims to educate the Falcon community on environmentalism and encourage more sustainable campus living. The organization has successfully fostered the growth of indigenous plant and pollinator gardens on Pfeiffer鈥檚 Misenheimer campus. These gardens not only enhance the beauty of the campus for students, faculty, and the larger Falcon community but also serve as a home for the native wildlife that inhabit the area surrounding Pfeiffer鈥檚 campus.

Pfeiffer Green recently launched a new campus-wide effort as a part of the NexTrex Recycling Challenge. Trex is a manufacturer that creates eco-friendly outdoor products from recycled plastic film. The organization sponsors environmental groups across the United States by providing them with more accessible solutions to recycling. Their solution is unique: community groups can access an online portal to weigh, record, and photograph their progress. Trex also provides a network of connections to local drop-off retailer locations. Trex challenges organizations to collect at least 1,000 pounds of recyclable materials in 12 months. Upon achieving this goal, Pfeiffer Green will receive a Trex bench made entirely of local, eco-friendly, recycled materials for Pfeiffer鈥檚 campus.

Waggoner and Feaster are now the co-presidents of Pfeiffer Green. Both students are very excited about the new project, as well as how Pfeiffer Green has impacted their Pfeiffer experience.

鈥淧feiffer Green is one of my favorite parts of my Pfeiffer journey,鈥� said Feaster. 鈥淲e have created a tight-knit community of like-minded students passionate about making a difference on campus.鈥�

Pfeiffer Green is currently accepting new members and community volunteers to help achieve their goal of recycling 1,000 pounds by September 2024. The co-presidents are confident their team will complete the NexTrex Challenge through the power of community engagement. If you want to help make a difference as a member or a community volunteer, contact Pfeiffer Green鈥檚 leadership team on Instagram @pfeiffer.green.

Green now works to persuade a growing, diverse list of clients that forgiveness is the best, healthiest way forward. He鈥檚 even enlisted Marshall as an ally in his pro-forgiveness cause: In 2016, the two started , a nonprofit in which, among other things, forgiveness informs their work with young people to curtail violence on the streets of Baltimore, where an eye-for-an-eye ethos too often prevails. 

Green describes himself as 鈥渁 staunch proponent for libertarian reconciliation and forgiveness鈥� and 鈥渁n innovative change agent on mental health, healing, social welfare, and restorative justice.鈥� He especially wants to reach people who are 鈥渄ying of unforgiveness鈥� — people who are just like he was for 25 years until he decided that forgiveness was the only thing that would set him free from an inner rage. He links that rage to everything from high blood pressure to an anxiety-fueled need to never let his guard down in crowds. 

鈥淔orgiveness is a process,鈥� he often says when he speaks to groups, stressing that it鈥檚 often the most challenging we can undertake.

Green鈥檚 speaking engagements, which he does in addition to in the School of Social Work at Morgan State University, are taking him far and wide. He was in Israel this past February, where he made a at at . The presentation featured Green and Marshall in an oft-screened 鈥淧rison Dialogue鈥� film that goes into depth about the murder, its fallout, and how the two found their way to reconciliation.

As many of Green鈥檚 student and faculty friends at Pfeiffer will recall, the story of his forgiveness process began on the University鈥檚 Misenheimer campus. He was pulled out of class and told that Cotton was in critical condition after Marshall had stabbed him following an argument over some sneakers at a bowling alley. Cotton would succumb to his wounds four days later.

Green鈥檚 world was turned upside down. At Pfeiffer, for example, he had been thriving as a student-athlete: In addition to wrestling for the Falcons in 1984, he became the first African American to play for the men鈥檚 lacrosse team (1984-1986), and he was the first male student to win an MVP award for cheerleading, which he did from 1984 to 1988. 

But after Cotton died, all that seemed to matter very little. Green fell into a quiet rage he wouldn鈥檛 get past for more than two decades. He now says, though, that his forgiveness process began at Pfeiffer. He credits students and faculty there with showing him the kind of support that kept him focused on his studies — and not retaliating against Marshall.

Although Marshall was 14 when he killed Cotton, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. (Cotton was 17 when he died.) Marshall seemed destined to remain in prison, and Green seemed destined to remain in his own prison of hatred toward Marshall.

However, in 2012, the Supreme Court that sentencing minors to mandatory terms of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole violated the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. This paved the way for a sentence modification hearing in 2013 that ultimately led to Marshall鈥檚 release a short time later.

At the hearing, Marshall read a letter of apology he鈥檇 once tried to send to Green and other members of his family. (Mysteriously, the letter never reached Green, having ended up in an attorney鈥檚 files.)

Green testified in support of Marshall鈥檚 release, having concluded that keeping him locked up for another 30 or 40 years wasn鈥檛 going to bring Cotton back. Although Marshall was dressed in a 鈥渢hree-piece suit鈥� of handcuffs and shackles, he was able to shake the hand that Green had extended to him.   

鈥淗e was crying, I was crying,鈥� Green told people.com. 鈥淚 said to him, 鈥榊ou鈥檝e been known for taking a life, now let鈥檚 go save some lives together.’鈥�

They are doing just that — and more, with Green now pursuing a mission to 鈥淐hange the World鈥� through his pro-forgiveness message. 

To learn more about Green鈥檚 journey, visit .   

Albemarle鈥檚 Michael E. Snyder (who goes by Mike) and his wife, Karen, created the fund with a gift of $125,000 via the Michael E. Snyder Family Foundation. The Snyders are encouraging others to add to the scholarship or establish scholarship funds of their own in support of Pfeiffer鈥檚 MSOT students. The MSOT program has operated in the Center for Health Sciences (CHS) on East Main Street in downtown Albemarle since 2020 and recently became fully accredited through 2030.

鈥淚t is an honor to have such a wonderful scholarship to further the growth of the occupational therapy profession by providing future OT practitioners with resources and support financially,鈥� said Dr. Crystal C. Gaddy, an assistant professor in the MSOT program who serves as its Interim Program Director.

鈥淭he Ellen M. Snyder Endowed Scholarship will greatly benefit 黑料专区’s occupational therapy master鈥檚 program in that it will maximize and provide scholarship assistance to passionate, incoming occupational therapy students. It will enable awarded students attending this graduate program to focus and thrive on their journey in leading productive and purposeful lives in their service to others within health care.鈥�

Mike Snyder strongly supports Pfeiffer鈥檚 efforts to train occupational therapists, having recognized that there鈥檚 a real need for them, particularly in the largely rural areas in and around Stanly County. He has been actively involved in the fundraising committee for the CHS since the group was formed in 2019. He named The Edward J. Snyder, Sr. Community Room in the CHS in memory of his father (d. 1969), who ran E.J. Snyder & Company, Inc., a textile dying and finishing company that operated on Snuggs Street from 1956 until its closure in 2005. Mike Snyder and his two brothers, now deceased, took over leadership of the company after their father stepped down.

Ellen Snyder, Mike鈥檚 daughter, has been an adult and geriatric nurse practitioner at since 2016. Between 1997 and 2016, she served as the Director of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Stanly Regional Medical Center in Albemarle. In this role, she developed and implemented a cardiac rehab program in 1998 and she developed and implemented a pulmonary rehab program in 2011.

鈥淓llen has done a lot of great work in the community,鈥� Mike Snyder said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 been very, very good at what she does, and I thought it would be appropriate to honor her and her achievements with a scholarship in her name.鈥�

Ellen Snyder said she was 鈥渆xtremely honored鈥� that a scholarship was named for her.

鈥淚鈥檝e been involved in healthcare in a number of ways for many years,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 very proud to be associated with 黑料专区 and with efforts to help anyone who wants to pursue a career in occupational therapy. I think this is wonderful.鈥�

The Ellen M. Snyder Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to students who excel in their studies, show financial need, and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship is renewable as long as the recipient continues to meet the award criteria. First preference will be given to students of the MSOT program who have financial need. If multiple applicants have equal financial need, then preference will be given to candidates who are originally from Stanly County.

To contribute to the Ellen M. Snyder Endowed Scholarship or to start a scholarship benefitting 黑料专区鈥檚 Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program, contact Jo Ellen Newsome, VP of Institutional Advancement at 704-463-3222 or joellen.newsome@pfeiffer.edu.