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 decision underscores Pfeiffer鈥檚 enduring commitment to accessibility, affordability, and high-quality education, core values that continue to define the University鈥檚 mission in service to its students and the region.

鈥淎t a time when many colleges and universities are increasing costs, Pfeiffer is intentionally choosing a different path,鈥� said Dr. Scott Bullard, President of 黑料专区. 鈥淲e believe that a transformative, personalized education should remain within reach for every student. By holding undergraduate tuition, fees, and room rates steady for 2026鈥�27, we are investing in our students鈥� futures and reaffirming our promise to keep Pfeiffer affordable without compromising excellence.鈥�

The decision applies to all undergraduate students. Pfeiffer continues to provide significant institutional aid and scholarships to ensure access for students from a wide range of backgrounds. More than 95 percent of Pfeiffer students receive some form of financial assistance each year.

鈥淎ffordability and academic quality are not competing values at Pfeiffer,鈥� Dr. Bullard added. 鈥淲e will continue to make prudent financial decisions that allow us to invest in our students鈥� success while keeping costs stable. This approach honors both our Methodist heritage and our deep commitment to servant leadership.鈥�

Pfeiffer鈥檚 decision comes amid national conversations about the cost of higher education and the importance of sustainable models that support both students and institutions. By maintaining tuition and housing rates, Pfeiffer aims to provide families with financial predictability and peace of mind as they plan for the future.

The venue, which was recently upgraded with a state-of-the-art artificial turf surface, was originally named after long-time head soccer coach Nicholas E. Lefko 鈥�37, who coached at Pfeiffer from 1959-74 and was enshrined as a charter member of the Pfeiffer Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. He also was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1979. Lefko coached three All-Americans and guided his 1965 team to a 10-1 overall record, leading them to a national ranking. Lefko would serve at Pfeiffer as a coach and professor for 42 years.

Randolph P. Mills, Jr. served as a lacrosse assistant coach and was instrumental in recruiting many of the players who were ultimately the foundation of the Pfeiffer men鈥檚 lacrosse program in the mid 1980s.聽 Mills used his connections in the northeastern part of the country to recruit talented players to the program. Known as the Johnny Appleseed of Lacrosse, Mills founded programs at 黑料专区, Limestone University, Neumann University, and Cabrini College. He also started club teams and recreation programs at Gardner-Webb University and UCLA among many others. In 1996, Mills was named Man of the Year by the Pennsylvania Coaches Association and was subsequently recognized by the NCAA for having the highest winning percentage in Division III.

Prior to the game, Pfeiffer President Dr. Scott Bullard addressed those in attendance, recognizing the importance of athletics to the overall student experience at Pfeiffer and thanking lacrosse alumni, soccer alumni, and friends of the University who have provided financial support to make the installation of an artificial turf surface a reality. Bullard noted that the new field name recognizes two central figures in Pfeiffer鈥檚 outstanding soccer and lacrosse history.聽

Tom Mills 鈥�86, a Pfeiffer lacrosse alumnus and son of coach Randy Mills, also thanked donors to the field upgrade for their generosity, reminding the crowd that the early teams 鈥減layed over there in that patch of grass and dirt,鈥� referring to what is now a practice field.

鈥淎ll teams that use this field, from the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 lacrosse teams, both soccer programs, the track and field program, as well as the general student body have something to be proud of,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ith the addition of this beautiful turf field that stands next to our excellent softball facility, Pfeiffer is continuing its resurgence, and we are all happy and proud to be a part of it.鈥�

The completed turf surface will drastically cut field preparation time for Pfeiffer鈥檚 athletic staff, in addition to allowing for improved drainage and safer competition following periods of rainy weather, as was demonstrated this weekend.

Before Saturday鈥檚 game, the field absorbed almost an inch of rain from a weather system that came through the area on Friday.

During Mills鈥� remarks he said, 鈥淚f we didn鈥檛 have this turf right now, the rains that we got yesterday would鈥檝e deemed this field unplayable today, and we wouldn鈥檛 be here to celebrate our great university and this special place with each other.鈥�

Lefko-Mills Field has been home to numerous championship teams over the years.聽 Using available records, the venue has been home to four men鈥檚 lacrosse tournament championship teams (1997, 1998, 2021, 2023) and a pair of regular season championships (2021, 2023).

The women鈥檚 lacrosse team has brought four titles back to The Village, winning conference tournament titles in 2004, 2005 and 2007 and a regular season title in 2005.

The Pfeiffer women鈥檚 soccer team won the 2000 and 2005 regular season conference championships as well as the 2008, 2010 and 2013 tournament titles.聽 In Pfeiffer鈥檚 Division III era, the women鈥檚 soccer team claimed the first team title across all sports in capturing the USA South East Division crown in 2019.

The Falcon men鈥檚 soccer program has won several championships, most notably the 2015 NCAA Division II National Championship.聽 Falcon men鈥檚 soccer also won the 1997, 2015 and 2016 regular season conference championship as well as the 2014, 2015 and 2016 conference tournaments.

Lead donors to the turf field upgrade will be honored as a part of a dedication ceremony planned for Homecoming 2024. New signage will be added to the field area to recognize those who helped bring the project to life. Gifts of $1,000 or more that are received by June 30, 2024, will be included on the new field signage.

The current natural grass surface at Lefko Field is being replaced with a state-of-the-art artificial turf surface known by the brand name of Shaw Sports Turf Legion 2.0. The installation will drastically cut field preparation time, improve field drainage, and allow for safer competition following periods of rainy weather. In addition, the new playing surface will allow other organizations in the community to use the facility without risk of damage to the natural grass surface.

Lead donors to the project will be honored as a part of a dedication ceremony planned for Homecoming 2024. New signage will also be added to the field area to recognize those who helped bring the project to life as 鈥淟eadership Donors,鈥� 鈥淏enefactors,鈥� and 鈥淔ans.鈥� Gifts of $1,000 or more that are received by June 30, 2024, will be included on the new field signage.

鈥淲e are extremely excited to team with Advanced Sports Group to make Lefko Field a better place for our student-athletes to train and to compete for championships,鈥� said Pfeiffer Athletics Director Zac Chilton 鈥�15.

Pfeiffer鈥檚 Vice President for Athletics and External Operations, Jeff Childress 鈥�89 echoes Chilton. 鈥淥ur student-athletes will have one of the premier surfaces on which to compete once this project is completed. There will be no finer place to play in our area,鈥� said Childress. 鈥淲e are thankful to the donors who are making this transformation possible.鈥�

The new turf surface will continue to have NCAA regulation dimensions for all four sports that currently compete on the field. The Pfeiffer soccer teams will compete on a 120-by-75 yard pitch, while the men鈥檚 lacrosse field dimensions will be 110-by-60 yards. Pfeiffer鈥檚 women鈥檚 lacrosse team will have a playing dimension of 120-by-65 yards.

The men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 soccer lines will be in the traditional white markings while the men鈥檚 lacrosse markings will be black. The women鈥檚 lacrosse lines will feature Pfeiffer鈥檚 鈥淔alcon Gray鈥� color scheme.

The timeline for completion of the project is expected to be in late February to early March, weather permitting.

Advanced Sports Group has a robust resume of building upper-tier collegiate facilities. In addition to Pfeiffer, their client list includes Furman University, Fort Valley State University, the University of Tampa, Florida International University, Georgia Southern University, the Liberty Bowl Stadium, Kennesaw State University, Saint Leo University and Virginia Tech.

Gifts to support the field renovation project can be made at pfeiffer.edu/give (designation 鈥淟efko Field Upgrade”) or by contacting 704-463-3034.

The new minor developed by Dr. Tom Darling, professor of Health and Exercise Science, is designed to provide undergraduate students with valuable research and clinical experience via Pfeiffer CARES (Cancer Approaches, Research, Exercise, & Support) cancer rehab programming. Students work directly with program participants, contributing to and assisting in educational sessions, exercise testing, exercise prescription, and exercise and lifestyle interventions.

鈥淭he student experience is significant. As part of the Cancer Rehab Team, students obtain clinical education, hands-on training, scholarship, and service experiences. The Cancer Rehab Apprenticeship [Pfeiffer CARES] and Cancer Rehab Minor provide opportunities to learn, conduct research, and serve the community. Students work directly with cancer survivors and caregivers, addressing individual and rural health needs primarily among underserved groups and communities. The goal is to provide a comprehensive student experience that contributes to science and the field of Exercise Oncology and impacts individual lives,鈥� said Darling.

The research-focused program allows students to study and learn skills that prepare them for graduate school and clinical careers. As part of their training, students present research results at research symposiums and/or scientific conferences. The inaugural team, Jackie Burris (Biology), Josie Luther (Psychology), Gracie Griffin (Clinical Exercise Science), and Josh Turner (Clinical Exercise Science) each presented a poster at the 2nd Annual Health & Exercise Science Research Symposium. In the future, students will have the opportunity to present at regional and/or national scientific conferences.

Luther, who presented A New Normal: Life as a Cancer Survivor at the symposium, views this hands-on research and clinical experience as a great opportunity for growth.

鈥淭he cancer rehabilitation program here at Pfeiffer is a true blessing. I have gained so much insight into the world of cancer and rehab itself,鈥� said Luther. 鈥淚 have always had a passion to help people and make a difference in my community and this program gives me that opportunity. My hope is to be an occupational therapist and attend the OT program at Pfeiffer’s Albemarle campus. I want to eventually work in Stanly County and give back to my community. This program has prepared me in so many ways. I have been pushed to think bigger and have learned so much about myself. Dr. Darling has been an amazing supporter and mentor.鈥�

Darling has implemented similar programs at several other universities where he has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students, many of whom have moved on to very successful academic, research, and/or professional careers. Darling and a former graduate student who is now a pediatric cancer researcher, for example, published a paper on childhood cancer and treatment effects on motor performance. Other mentees are currently working in the health field or are in the process of completing medical school or professional training in rehab sciences.

Darling boasts a 100% acceptance rate for those former students who pursued graduate school, and he attributes his students鈥� success to the extensive research experience they had as a part of their undergraduate training.

鈥淪tudents in Pfeiffer鈥檚 program are making a great investment in their future,鈥� Darling said. 鈥淓xpectations are high, the work is challenging, and there鈥檚 a big time commitment, but the experience is a great return. Students are prepared for graduate work and professional training. Students have the rare opportunity to contribute to science and clinical practice. And more importantly, students have the privilege to impact individual lives. It鈥檚 definitely worth it.鈥�

Gabby Edwards is a beneficiary of The Pfeiffer Fund and a North Carolina native of Catawba. As a second-year student at Pfeiffer, she has wasted no time getting involved on campus. Edwards is a member of Pfeiffer’s Honors Program, a student-athlete on Pfeiffer’s volleyball team, vice president of the Student Government Association, a Student Admissions Ambassador, one of the leaders of Pfeiffer’s Delight Ministries chapter (a Christ-centered community for college women), and a member of various campus organizations such as the Criminal Justice Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Campus Activities Board.

Edwards is a double-major in Criminal Justice and History. She has completed internships with the City Attorney of Albemarle and the District Attorney of Catawba. Edwards says she has always been interested in a career in law or politics. She plans to study abroad in the Spring of 2024 in Barcelona, where she will examine the differences between the United States’ criminal justice system and Spain’s criminal justice system.

Edwards says her university scholarship 鈥� provided by The Pfeiffer Fund 鈥� has been instrumental in her ability to attend Pfeiffer and learn through the Pfeiffer Study Abroad Program and her various career-focused internships.

“When I found out, I was in shock,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his scholarship allowed me to experience opportunities I never even imagined I would be able to experience. I am eternally grateful for the generosity of donors to The Pfeiffer Fund!”

Jackson Bradsher, recipient of the 2023-2024 Paul Ervin Annual Scholarship, describes himself as a “Carolina native,” as he was born in South Carolina. His father served in the United States military, so his family moved frequently during his childhood. In 2011, his family settled in North Carolina. Bradsher recalls feeling happy that he could start “growing roots.” While he once found it difficult to connect as “the new kid,” he has easily connected with others since arriving at Pfeiffer. He has also started to genuinely enjoy learning, which quickly helped him find his passion.

Bradsher states, “Pfeiffer’s religion classes and professors inspired my interest in theology and history; Dr. Hume has been a big influence in my path to finding my purpose.”

Bradsher is now a double-major in Theology and History. He hopes to pursue a doctorate in History and attend seminary in order to “teach history during the week and preach on the weekends.” Bradsher has been able to get a jump-start on his career goals thanks to his scholarship.

“My scholarship allows me to focus solely on my education, which makes it easier for me to reach my full potential,” he said.

Bradsher has recently started teaching a class on theological concepts to his fellow Falcons as an offering of Pfeiffer鈥檚 Francis Scholars program. He believes it is crucial to educate others as he feels education is the pathway to “getting closer to understanding each other as Christians and closer to God’s truth.鈥� He says receiving the Paul Ervin Annual Scholarship for pre-ministerial students made him feel encouraged by his community and confident in his ability to educate others.

Myles Davis is the recipient of the Roberta Clark (鈥�63) and Dr. James E. (鈥�63) Morris Endowed Scholarship, awarded to a junior or senior involved in campus life, including service on the newspaper staff. In addition to his work with the newspaper, he is a Student Admissions Ambassador, a communications work-study student for the Pfeiffer Life Program, and previously served as manager for Pfeiffer’s Men’s Basketball team. Davis is a senior majoring in Strategic Communication & Social Media with a minor in Psychology.

Davis and his family are from Charlotte, North Carolina. His mother is a long-time employee of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where she teaches kindergarten. Davis鈥� grandmother is also an educator, having worked in higher education as a faculty member at 黑料专区.

As the child and grandchild of educators, Davis is committed to investing himself in his education and college experience. He says he’s “changed for the better since coming to Pfeiffer. I have come out of my shell and feel like I have found my purpose. There is something exceptional about Pfeiffer. I feel the faculty and staff are devoted to encouraging and fostering my growth – professionally, academically, and as a human being.”

Davis plans to train as a pilot upon graduation. He feels his degree in communications and minor in psychology will provide him with a versatile range of knowledge and help him “nurture this passion from the inside out.” He expects to experience other cultures as a pilot and believes his Pfeiffer degree will provide a good foundation for effective and empathetic communication. Davis is exceptionally thankful for scholarship aid, including the Morris Endowed Scholarship, which allows him to attend Pfeiffer, where he feels he’s meant to be.   Scholarship donors are making a profound difference in the lives of Pfeiffer students: students who are not only intelligent but well-rounded, valuable members of the Falcon community. And Gabby, Jackson and Myles couldn鈥檛 be more thankful!

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.

But for Tom Grady 鈥�63, a Concord, N.C.-based general practitioner attorney for whom the Thomas Myers Grady Board Room at Pfeiffer was recently named, the University would remain a second home for far longer. Grady remained deeply engaged and provided his alma mater with what Pfeiffer President Scott Bullard has called 鈥渦ntold service鈥nd acts of kindness.鈥� In honor of his contribution, the Thomas Myers Grady Board Room, located in the Stokes Student Center, was dedicated on June 9, 2023, following a recent renovation of the space.

Grady鈥檚 association with Pfeiffer is remarkable. He is among the youngest appointments ever named to Pfeiffer鈥檚 Board of Trustees, having joined the board in 1972, just nine years after he earned his undergraduate degree. His steady service as a trustee over the course of 50 years included leadership as chair from 1996 to 1999 after Pfeiffer was newly accredited as a University.

In 2005, Grady was named Trustee Emeritus, a title he shares with only a small group of others.

Grady also sat for 27 years on the Board of Directors of of Concord, N.C., which honors the philanthropic legacy of Charles A. Cannon (1892-1971) by supporting healthcare, higher education, human services, and community. 

Cannon joined Pfeiffer in honoring Grady for his service. The foundation named him Director Emeritus and supported the board room renovation in his honor.

Grady called the 鈥渏oint deal鈥� of being honored by Pfeiffer and Cannon 鈥渙ne of the biggest honors I鈥檝e ever had.鈥�

鈥淣othing鈥檚 been bigger in my life, except my marriage, my children, and my grandchildren,鈥� he added. 鈥淚t has meant an awful lot to me.鈥�

And Grady has meant an awful lot to Pfeiffer 鈥� a truth that speaker after speaker, from former classmates to recent Pfeiffer graduates, underscored at the dedication ceremony. Don Maddox 鈥�64 (who as District Judge for the 5th Judicial District in New Mexico for 10 years before his retirement in 2010) and Bobby Griffin 鈥�62 (who still practices in Monroe, NC, and into the North Carolina Bar Association General Practice Hall of Fame in 2017) joined Grady, also a Hall of Fame member, as the first three Pfeiffer grads to attend the . Maddox reminded Grady of this distinction and congratulated his former classmate in a recorded video message.

Their success at the law school established Pfeiffer鈥檚 reputation as a feeder school for subsequent generations of students. These include John Payne 鈥�20, a current Wake Forest Law student who congratulated Grady and thanked him for paving the way for others.

Grady developed his own practice niche in motorsports. He has a longtime association with NASCAR drivers, crew chiefs, and owners, for whom he has drawn up scores of legal documents, and his friendship with Richard Petty, the famed former stock car racing driver, led to Petty鈥檚 service on Pfeiffer鈥檚 Board of Trustees.

To be sure, Grady has enjoyed a long and storied career in service to both Pfeiffer and The Cannon Foundation.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been an honor and privilege to have been associated with both the Pfeiffer and Cannon boards,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ot many people have been as fortunate as I have been, to have had two things like that happen during a lifetime. Both of them have been wonderful experiences for me.鈥�