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A Pfeiffer University scholarship has been established to honor A. Wayne Cook of Cabarrus County, who passed away in October 2020.
Cook was the first of three generations to graduate from Pfeiffer. The scholarship has been endowed by his daughter, Rev. Dr. Cathy Cook, and his granddaughter, Jessica Cook, both Pfeiffer graduates.
The A. Wayne Cook Farming and Environment Endowed Scholarship recognizes Cook’s love of the land and farming. Cook stewarded his New Moon Farm and raised Black Angus cattle on farmland that was tended by his ancestors for 200 years.
The fund will provide scholarships for undergraduate students with a 3.5+ GPA at Pfeiffer who are majoring in the Environment and Sustainability Studies program or in Business, with preference for students who are from Cabarrus, Rowan or Stanly counties.
The first award will be made for the Fall 2025 semester.
Cook studied at N.C. State University and Pfeiffer College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business in 1958.
In addition to farming, he worked at Cannon Mills where he began his career as a part-time employee during college and ended it as a vice president. He later owned Ashland Sales, with ventures in textile distribution, hosiery manufacturing, a florist shop and a book store.
A businessman and entrepreneur, Cook most enjoyed caring for his cows and was often heard saying, “Black cows on green grass; prettiest sight I ever did see.”