The Prince David and Nancy Patterson Jernigan Endowed Scholarship Fund
For the Jernigans, Winston-Salem State University’s motto, “Enter to Learn. Depart to serve,” is more than a slogan, it’s a way of life.
The couple, Prince David and Nancy Patterson Jernigan, both members of the WSSU Class of ’73, served and retired from extensive careers in public education; have raised tens of thousands of dollars for their alma mater over a span of 40 years; and most recently, established the Prince David and Nancy Patterson Jernigan Endowed Scholarship Fund.
The endowment, which was developed in 2018, began with $15,000. As of March 2022, it was valued at nearly $215,000. The funds will be used to provide need-based assistance to students majoring in education and social science programs, enhancing their professional opportunities for internships, study abroad and undergraduate research, and creating a less financially stressed pathway to graduation.
“Our scholarship will provide needy students seeking a college education with some assistance for generations to come,” said the Jernigans in a statement. “The wish to pay it forward is our way of saying thank you to WSSU for providing us with the skills to go forth and better our lives in the world.”
The endowment was made possible through real estate sales. Prince Jernigan and his brother inherited five houses in Edenton from their father located in various areas to include historic districts, redevelopment zones and oceanfront. Prince Jernigan had no desire to return to Edenton, and he and his wife didn’t want to put a burden on their children to manage the properties, which were also impacting the Jernigans’ financial support to WSSU.
After much consideration, the two decided to sell the properties and establish a more impactful family legacy by establishing the scholarship in memory of Charles Haymond and Malvina Rouse Jernigan Sr., parents of Prince Jernigan.
As a result of their generosity and sacrifice, WSSU honored the couple with the Dr. Simon Green Atkins Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022.
“Once at WSSU, our goal was to live the university motto. Our goal also was to deliver on the dream of the university’s founder, Dr. Simon Green Atkins, who stated that his graduates would ‘bear the test,’” the couple said.
“The Jernigans have demonstrated exemplary leadership and service to their alma mater. They are kind, gracious and are consistently supportive of our students and this institution, said Dr. LaTanya Afolayan, vice chancellor for University Advancement.
Each of the Jernigans grew up in the segregated South, where there were limited opportunities for African Americans. Prince Jernigan is a native of Edenton, NC, and Nancy Jernigan is from Rocky Mount, Va. The two met at WSSU and were married shortly after graduating.
Prince Jernigan earned a degree in history from WSSU and a master’s degree from Morgan State in Baltimore, Md. He served both as a teacher and school administrator, retiring in 2003 with 30 years of service.
Nancy Jernigan graduated cum laude with a degree in physical education from WSSU. She completed a 39-year career as a PE teacher in Baltimore. The gymnasium at Violetville Elementary/Middle School is named in her honor.
The Jernigans said anyone considering establishing an endowment should “go for it.” The need is great, and the resources are limited. “We can’t continue to expect the state of North Carolina to do for us if we won’t commit and do for ourselves.”
