Mr. James D. and Mrs. Kathy F. Holland

Mr. James David Holland, a graduate of Cherryville High School, Gaston College and UNC-Chapel Hill, established this scholarship fund in honor of his wife Kathy Ann Friday Holland. After graduating from Gaston College, Mr. Holland transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill. He has worked in the insurance industry for many years.

Mr. and Mrs. Holland met at Gaston College while Jim was a first-year college student and Kathy worked in the library after school her senior year of high school. As Mr. Holland says – this is where their love story begins.

Mrs. Holland is a member of the last graduating class of Dallas High School, attended Catawba College and then transferred to UNC Charlotte to earn a degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. She spent over 28 years teaching within Gaston and Cleveland County Schools.

Jim and Kathy raised a son, Chris (a CPA), and a daughter, Suzanne (a pharmaceutical industry executive) and have always emphasized the importance of education within their family. Giving back to their church and community has also been a priority for Jim and Kathy. They demonstrated this commitment by serving various civic organizations throughout the years as well as by being active youth mentors, preschool volunteers and Sunday School teachers within their church.