The Mike and Jennifer Fayed Scholarship will support students studying finance with
a concentration in financial planning. The Fayeds, who met at Winthrop, live in Belmont, North Carolina.
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — Certified Financial Planner Mike Fayed '95, '97 found a home in Winthrop's College of Business Administration (CBA). There, work in the Winthrop Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and faculty support helped Fayed plot his future career path.
Now Fayed and his wife, Jennifer Dolan Fayed '97, have established the Mike and Jennifer Fayed Scholarship to assist students who have found their own niche within CBA. The scholarship supports
students studying finance with a concentration in financial planning.
The Belmont, North Carolina, resident said he cherishes his time at Winthrop, where
CBA faculty members like Charles Alvis, professor of accounting and director of professional
opportunities, and Bob Breakfield, professor of business law and tax, helped spark
his interest in the world of business.
"The professors were exceptional, and they helped me figure out what I wanted to do
in life," said Fayed, who credits former SBDC directors Dianne Hockett '88 and Nate Barber, former assistant
professor of education, with instructing him how to work with the business community.
"My work with the Small Business Development Center also provided me with a lot of
valuable hands-on experience in the business and finance world."
Fayed earned B.S. and M.B.A. degrees at Winthrop, where he also played for the university's
men's basketball team. Today, Fayed works at his own independent firm, Michael E. Fayed Financial Planning, in Belmont. Jennifer Fayed, who earned a B.S. in physical education, taught previously and now owns antique
booths in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area. The Fayeds, who met at Winthrop, reside in Belmont with their two children: Colin, 12, and Lana,
9.
Fayed said that he views the Mike and Jennifer Fayed Scholarship as a way to pay back the exceptional academic and personal support he received at Winthrop.
"Looking back, Winthrop was a very special place for me and my wife," said Fayed.
"I received a lot of terrific support there, and this scholarship seemed like a great
way to give back and assist students who have a desire to study financial planning."
For more information, contact the Division of University Advancement at 803/323-2275.
