Wooten donates Fremont home to WCC for scholarships
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on February 25, 2009 1:46 PM
A TV writer/producer who hails from Fremont has donated his childhood home to Wayne Community College, with proceeds from its sale to provide scholarships for future educators.
Jamie Wooten, who has written for such TV show as "Golden Girls" and "Half and Half," is also a playwright and currently lives in Asheville.
He recently donated the Fremont house at 305 S. Pine Street to the Foundation of WCC, with plans to establish the scholarship in memory of his mother. Eva Pate Wooten was an educator in Wayne County Public Schools for 41 years.
The scholarship in her name will be designated for a graduating high school student from Wayne or Wilson county, who plans to start their education at Wayne Community College and pursue a teaching degree. Other criteria include being a full-time student and maintaining a 2.5 to 3.0 grade point average.
Wooten expressed gratitude to Jack Kannan, director of the Foundation, as well as Realtor Robert Montague, who helped with the sale of the house. Appropriately enough, Montague was a friend of Wooten's since childhood and had been one of his mother's former students.
"To give a house is a very generous donation," Kannan said. "It was just a windfall. Now it is important to honor Jamie's wishes and his mother."
One of those wishes was to pave the way for others to become teachers.
With a growing teacher shortage, Kannan said he is pleased to be part of an effort that will assist students in entering the field.
The first scholarship is expected to be awarded for the fall 2009 semester. Students can apply through March 31. The application form can be found at www.waynecc.edu/foundation.