Gadsden State receives $26,000 scholarship endowment in name of Michael Joe Wofford
The Wofford family recently endowed a memorial scholarship to Gadsden State Community College for $26,000 in the name of Michael Joe Wofford, who passed away in 2020, according to a press release.
The donation came in Michael's name by his wife, Sherry, the release said. Michael passed away Dec. 23, 2020, from complications with COVID-19. The endowment was for $25,000; $1,000 will be awarded as a scholarship in the fall.
“Michael was a godly man with a kind and compassionate spirit, a love of life and a contagious smile,” Sherry said in the release. “I miss him every day.”
She also pointed out that he loved music, his grandchildren, high school sports and Gadsden State.
According to the release, Michael was a lifelong resident of Gadsden who graduated from Emma Sansom High School in 1967. He was a 28-year employee of Goodyear before retiring in 2000. He had five children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In addition, Michael was a referee at local basketball and football games in the county for a number of years.
“He has a strong love for Gadsden and Etowah County,” Sherry said. “He always considered Gadsden his home. Everything about his life was right here in Gadsden.”
The Michael Joe Wofford Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a full-time student pursuing a credential at Gadsden State, the release said. In order to qualify, the student must be an incoming freshman from Etowah County and have at least a 3.0 GPA.
Because of his love of music, it is preferred that the student be engaged in music through vocal or instruments; however, the student does not have to major in music. A 250- to 500-word essay titled “The Importance of Music in My Life” must accompany the application.
“This is a joyous occasion and I wish he were here to enjoy it,” Sherry said. “I think he’d be very proud.”
It was important to Sherry and her family to memorialize Michael while helping others, the release said.
“We wanted to do something for students but I didn’t want to just focus on the city schools or just on the county schools,” she said. “All of the schools in our area filter into Gadsden State so I felt like we could help the most at the college. He went to school at Gadsden State and I think that he would love that we are able to help.”
Gadsden State President Dr. Kathy Murphy said in the release that supporters like the Woffords are appreciated.
“Donations to the Cardinal Foundation can make a life-changing impact on the lives of students,” she said. “Thanks to the generosity of those like the Wofford family, the Cardinal Foundation is awarding over $230,000 in scholarships and student aid this year. I am truly grateful to Mrs. Wofford for her kind and giving gesture to Gadsden State.”
“We are very grateful for Mrs. Wofford’s willingness to assist students through this endowed scholarship,” Mark Condra, president of the Cardinal Foundation, said. “Mr. Wofford’s legacy will continue through the education of students from the community he so deeply loved and cherished.”
For more information on Cardinal Foundation scholarships, visit https://www.gadsdenstate.edu/alumni/cardinal-foundation.cms. The deadline to apply for traditional foundation scholarships is Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Michael Joe Wofford memorialized with Gadsden State scholarship
