Pfeiffer University Creates $1M Dowd Scholarship for Charlotte Pipe Families and Local Students

A fresh $1 million scholarship fund at Pfeiffer University will soon assist children of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry workers, plus students from Stanly and Union counties.

"This scholarship represents a powerful investment in the future of our region," Pfeiffer University President Scott Bullard said in a news release. "We are deeply grateful to the Dowd Foundation for their generosity and vision. The Dowd Foundation Endowed Scholarship will open doors for talented students who might otherwise be unable to pursue a Pfeiffer education."

Students can get between $1,000 and $5,000 yearly. To keep the money flowing, they must maintain a 3.0 grade point average. The first students will start getting funds in fall 2026.

This new program strengthens ties with Charlotte Pipe and Foundry. Their massive $460 million Oakboro plant, which started up in 2023, sits on 800 acres. More than 550 workers from nearby towns now earn their living there.

At Oakboro, smart electric melting systems slash carbon output by 40,000 tons each year. The plant turns out both cast iron and plastic pipes that builders and factories need.

Since 1951, the Dowd Foundation has put money into making communities better. They back projects in education, housing, and social services.

Students learn at Pfeiffer's Misenheimer and Albemarle sites, with web classes too. Small classes mean lots of attention: just one teacher for every 12 students. Almost everyone, about 95%, gets some money to help pay for school.

Want to try for the scholarship? Sign up through Pfeiffer's portal by Dec. 1. Staff members stand ready to explain who fits the bill and how to put in your papers.