Mr. John and Dr. Malinda Lowery
John and Dr. Malinda Lowery were both students at Gaston College in the 1970s.
John attended Gaston College as a business major from 1971 to 1972. He left the college to open a photography studio and camera shop in Lincolnton and eventually obtained a CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) degree from the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. A financial planner, he has owned WealthPlan Financial Partners, LLC for 36 years. Mr. Lowery and his firm have earned numerous company and industry awards.
Malinda graduated from Gaston College in 1972. She went on to UNC-Charlotte, where she earned a BA and a Master of Arts in counseling and a 6-year Certification in Counselor Supervision. She also received a Doctorate in Administration (Business/Leadership) from UNC-Greensboro. Dr. Lowery is co-owner of Multiple Choice, Inc. and of Human Capital Solutions Group, two organizational development firms.
The Lowerys hope their leading by example will encourage other Gaston College alums to establish at least one endowed or annuals scholarship funds to help a deserving Gaston College students or to donate sponsorship money that will help fund the 50th anniversary celebration activities and contribute to the Gaston College Foundation.
Impact
The Lowerys who are alumnus both alumni of Gaston College, have been recognized for their many professional and charitable achievements in their community and civic activities. After becoming involved with the planning of the 50th anniversary celebration this past spring, the couple desired to express their heartfelt support for Gaston College by creating The John S. and Malinda B. Lowery Endowed Scholarship Fund. The intention of the scholarship is to give students a hand up to the first step toward realizing their career dreams and visions, to remove an obstacle that may be in their way, and to give them the opportunity to try.
“We feel it’s important to give back to Gaston College,” says Dr. Lowery. “If it had not been there for me, I don’t know if I would have taken the career direction I did.
“John and I are huge fans of the ‘Pay It Forward’ mentality,” she continues. “This scholarship is a way for us to do that.”
The scholarship is a testament to the impact Gaston College can have on everyone’s life. “There is no substitute for a solid education,” says John Lowery.
“Gaston College gave us the foundation for success. We hope our starting this scholarship will encourage others who have benefitted from Gaston College to do the same. It’s an investment in a promising student’s future.”
With their scholarship, the Lowerys want to maximize the opportunity for deserving students, regardless of their course of study. When screening applicants, they look for a student who has the passion to excel and a vision for what he or she wants to achieve, but does not have the money.
“We want the scholarship to go to students who have the drive and motivation to succeed and who look for ways to overcome obstacles,” says Dr. Lowery. “With that, everything else seems to fall into place; our scholarship is a way to smooth the road a bit more.”