Issue: Spring 2016 | Posted: April 25, 2016

Old School

Steven Wood endowed scholarship fund established

Steven Lynn Wood, a Union University alumnus, passed away in September 2014 at age 52. Early in his career, Steven established a trust for the creation of an endowed scholarship fund to help aid Union students with financial need.

Born May 19, 1962, to Bobbye and Zelmer Wood from Lexington, Tenn., Steven was the youngest of three children. The only one in his family to go to college, Wood postponed enrollment for a year to earn money for tuition at Union University.

“Steve was a great man with an infectious laugh, who was loyal and loving to all his friends and family,” said Barbara Cash, a close friend of Wood. “He had a tight circle of friends that he made during his college years that had a major impact on his life.”

After receiving an accounting degree, Wood began his career in Jackson with Arnold Spain CPA’s and went on to work for many companies, including Grinell, Consolidated Aluminum, Harding Machine, Jimmy Dean Foods, Family Physicians Group and Baptist Health Group. Steven also volunteered with Relay for Life, among other nonprofit organizations and volunteer projects.

“Steven Wood embodied what Union seeks to instill in every student: the heart to care and the spirit to try to make a difference in their world and in people’s lives,” said Bob Agee, Union’s vice president for institutional advancement.

Through saving and investing part of his income, Steven arranged to give the bulk of his estate to Union University to endow a scholarship fund for students who needed financial aid.

“I hope that everyone who receives help through this scholarship fund knows what a valuable and true gift their education is,” Cash said.

Agee added, “We are deeply touched by his generosity and his desire to help students in need get a great Christian education.”