The ability to adapt quickly is a hallmark of success in today’s volatile business environment. Getting to that level often begins in college with coursework and professors who help build essential business skills. For many students, that’s a path they dream of taking. Their academic success proves that can get there, but their financial ability may limit how and when they take that important educational step.
When alum Bryan Jordan and his wife Kim decided to endow a scholarship to honor Bryan’s father David Jordan, they focused on the business school and those high-achieving students who would benefit from additional financial support. In the end, they created the largest single award for a student enrolling in the Ketner School of Business.
“I’m so grateful to Bryan and Kim Jordan for their thoughtful, generous support of Catawba’s Ketner School of Business,” said David P. Nelson, president of Catawba College. “David Jordan represents all that is best about Catawba College, and we’re thrilled to have a scholarship that bears the Jordan name, reminding us of a father and son who demonstrate both the quality of work and quality of character that matter so much to all of us.”
The David B. Jordan Family Scholarship will be awarded to one new incoming student in the Ketner School of Business each year with an average award of $10,000 to $11,000 and may be renewable for four years.
Knowing that high-achieving students have multiple options when they’re considering business schools, the Jordans are hoping the scholarship offers additional incentive to choose Catawba. “Kim and I are excited to establish the David B. Jordan Family Scholarship to help Catawba attract academically accomplished students to the Ketner School of Business,” said Bryan, who is chairman, president, and chief executive officer of First Horizon Corporation, the parent company of First Tennessee Bank and FTN Financial.
Both father and son achieved academic success at Catawba—David earned a degree in accounting in 1959 and Bryan earned his degree in finance and accounting in 1984. When David graduated from Catawba he remained in Salisbury and started his career in 1960 at the Home Savings and Loan Association. He led Home Savings through the formation of Omni Capital Group with the acquisition of two other financial institutions, the merger with Security Bank, and the merger of the combined institutions with Central Carolina Bank (CCB). David served as the Vice Chairman of CCB Financial Corporation where he finished out his banking career. He was also the former Chairman of the North Carolina Bankers Association (1988-89).
Bryan, who served on Catawba’s Board of Trustees from 2007—2015, was inspired by his parents commitment to service and the community. “We are pleased that we can also use this scholarship to honor my father and our family, including my late mother, Jeannie. My dad's and mother’s love, guidance, and example have been the foundation of our successes,” said Bryan.
As longtime members of the Salisbury community both David and Jeannie made their mark in service. David is very involved in Salisbury, most notably with Rowan Helping Ministries and First Presbyterian Church. He served two terms as a member of the Salisbury City Council and as Mayor Pro Tem of Salisbury. In the early 1980s, Jeannie Jordan, along with Jane Luhrs, Jennie Williamson, and Collin Grubb started the first soup kitchen Salisbury. Members made gallons of soup in the First Presbyterian Church basement five days a week for seven years at which time it became part of Rowan Helping Ministries.
Now their legacy of service continues with the newly established David B. Jordan Family Scholarship. “We are grateful to Bryan and Kim for their belief in our students. Endowed scholarships provide access for students who will most benefit from a Catawba College education and experience so they may achieve their professional and personal goals,” said Meg Dees, Vice President of Development.
