The Piedmont Community College (PCC) Foundation has announced the establishment of the Ernie B. Wood Memorial Scholarship Endowment, created to support PCC students pursuing careers in engineering, mathematics and agribusiness.
The endowment was established by Pam Wood, Ernie B. Wood’s widow, and Tommy Wagstaff, one of his lifelong friends, following Wood’s passing on October 15, 2025. The scholarship will first be awarded during the 2027–2028 academic year.
The scholarship will be available to students enrolled in PCC’s mechatronics engineering program or other engineering programs, students in a college transfer program who intend to major in engineering or mathematics, and students pursuing an agribusiness program. Recipients must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average.
Pam Wood said establishing the scholarship reflects her husband’s lifelong belief in the power of education and his commitment to helping others succeed.
“He believed education was a valuable tool, and he found great joy in helping others succeed educationally,” she said. “He spent his adult life supporting the growth and learning of those around him especially in the field of land surveying. Tommy and Kay Wagstaff made it possible to reflect Ernie’s spirit with this wonderful scholarship endowment in his memory. It ensures that his habit of giving continues to open doors for students of engineering, mathematics, or Agri-Business, just as he would if he were here today. For that, the Wood family is beyond grateful.”
“My desire to create this scholarship in memory of Ernie was due to our long-term friendship and to honor his memory for all the volunteer work he did to make Person County a better place to live,” Wagstaff said. “I also wanted to accomplish this through Piedmont Community College which is one of Person County’s most valuable assets.”
“Scholarships like the Ernie B. Wood Memorial Endowment represent the heart of our community’s commitment to education,” Grayson Brann, Executive Director of the PCC Foundation said. “This generous gift will create meaningful opportunities for PCC students while honoring Mr. Wood’s legacy of service, generosity and belief in the value of learning.”
“Scholarships like this create opportunities for our students while honoring individuals who made a lasting impact on our community,” Dr. Kevin Lee, PCC President said. “We are grateful for the generosity that keeps Mr. Wood’s legacy alive through the success of future PCC students.”
The endowment will serve as a lasting memorial to Ernie B. Wood as it will benefit PCC students for years to come. Those who wish to honor or remember a loved one through the creation of an endowment may contact the Foundation office for additional information.
The Piedmont Community College Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization that has been providing critical support for students since 1978. To learn more about the PCC Foundation, visit piedmontcc.edu/foundation.
Pictured left to right: Tommy Wagstaff; Pam Wood; Grayson Brann, Executive Director, PCC Foundation; Tammy Duncan, Associate Director, Foundation Operations and Stewardship; Dr. Kevin Lee, PCC President
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