North Carolina Wesleyan University proudly announces the establishment of the Claire A. Parham and Samuel J. Parham, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund, honoring two individuals whose lives, service, and unwavering commitment to Wesleyan left a lasting impact on the University and the communities they served.
The scholarship memorializes Claire A. Parham, a 1968 graduate of NC Wesleyan College, who passed away on April 17, 2022, and her son, Samuel J. “Jay” Parham, Jr., a 1998 graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan University, who passed away on December 4, 2008.
Claire Parham dedicated her career to education, teaching English and French for many years at Northern Nash High School, Rocky Mount Academy, and later at her alma mater, North Carolina Wesleyan. Her passion for learning and commitment to student success touched countless lives throughout Eastern North Carolina.
Jay Parham carried forward his family’s deep connection to Wesleyan as an alumnus and supporter of the institution. Together, Claire and Jay represent generations of dedication to higher education, community service, and the values that define the Wesleyan experience.
The Parham Family
The Parham family has maintained a longstanding legacy of support for North Carolina Wesleyan University. In addition to Jay’s graduation from Wesleyan in 1998, his brother, Frank L. Parham ’96, is also an alumnus. Their aunt, Betty A. Sanderson ’64, was a member of Wesleyan’s first graduating class, while Claire Parham was among the early generations of graduates who helped shape the institution’s history.
The Claire A. Parham and Samuel J. Parham, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund was established through the generosity of Samuel J. Parham, Sr., Frank L. Parham ’96, and numerous family members and friends who wished to create a lasting tribute to Claire and Jay’s lives and legacies.
Scholorship Details
The scholarship will provide financial assistance to deserving students attending North Carolina Wesleyan University. Preference will be given to students from Nash County, Edgecombe County, or Eastern North Carolina. Both incoming freshmen and upper-class students are eligible for consideration, with no preference given to a particular academic major.
“This scholarship reflects the Parham family’s enduring belief in the transformative power of education and their deep affection for North Carolina Wesleyan University,” said Tammy Robinson, Director of Donor Engagement. “By investing in future generations of students, the Parham family is creating opportunities that will continue to impact lives for years to come.”
The family’s philanthropic commitment to Wesleyan extends beyond this newly established fund. In 2020, they established the Lloyd G. Boone and Shirley Parham Boone Endowment, honoring the lives and contributions of Lloyd G. Boone ’77 and Shirley Parham Boone. The scholarship provides preference to students from Nash County, Edgecombe County, or Eastern North Carolina who are pursuing degrees in Logistics or Nursing, further demonstrating the family’s commitment to educational opportunity and workforce development in the region.
NC Wesleyan University Announces the Establishment of the Betty A. Price Endowed Scholarship
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is honored to announce the signing of the Betty A. Price Endowed Scholarship, established by author and pastor Rev. Dr. Michael A. Price in loving memory of his late wife, Betty A. Price. Dr. Price was joined at the signing by his sister-in-law, Sondra Bledsoe of Rolesville, who came to support the legacy being created in Betty’s name.
The endowed scholarship pays tribute to a woman whose life embodied resilience, faith, intellect, and service. Betty Price passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025, after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s — a journey marked not by struggle alone, but by courage and enduring grace.
Born in Raleigh on February 4, 1949, Betty began her working life as a cashier at Roses Discount Store before embarking on an inspiring academic and professional path. She graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina Wesleyan University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, later becoming a Certified Public Accountant in 1992. Her dedication to learning continued with the completion of her MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2009.
Betty’s career spanned roles as Controller and Financial Manager for respected organizations such as Memorex/Telex, Martin-Marietta, Progress Energy, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Her commitment to education extended to the classroom as well, where she taught at both the University of Mount Olive and her alma mater, NC Wesleyan University.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Betty was a devoted Christian whose heart for service shaped countless ministries — from assisting with new church builds to supporting inner-city food pantries. She served faithfully as an assistant treasurer, a member of the Diaconate, and a Sunday School teacher, touching lives through both leadership and compassion.
Her husband, Rev. Dr. Michael A. Price, a pastor, educator, and author known for his work on faith and leadership, established this scholarship to honor Betty’s legacy and continue the work she cared so deeply about. The Betty A. Price Endowed Scholarship will support single mothers pursuing higher education, offering them the kind of opportunity and encouragement that defined Betty’s own journey.
Betty is survived by her husband of 17 years, Rev. Dr. Michael Price; her son Rodney; siblings Julia Herring, Sondra Bledsoe, and Mike Adams; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Her final resting place — the shoreline of Ft. DeSoto County Park in Pinellas County, Florida — reflects her spirit: peaceful, enduring, and full of quiet strength.
NC Wesleyan University is humbled and grateful to carry forward Betty’s legacy through this endowed scholarship, ensuring her story continues to inspire generations of scholars to come.
