ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT


ALL BECAUSE OF NORTH GREENVILLE God Gives Us Two Kidneys for a Reason


Ken Ward (’89) never thought he would be able to attend college after serving in the Air Force. He didn’t have college options because of his academic record, but he said North Greenville “gave me a shot.”


Ken began his college career in 1987. The first day he stepped on campus, he met Amy Jeffcoat (’90), who would later become his wife. The meeting would have never happened, he claims, if it wasn’t for North Greenville “taking a chance on me.”


The Wards, you might say, have a longstanding family legacy with North Greenville.


Don Ward (’58), Ken’s father, graduated from North Greenville and served on the school’s board of trustees for 16 years. He also encouraged many family members to attend NGU.


His dedication to the university’s mission also was reflected in financial support of scholarships and capital projects.


After Ken graduated from North Greenville, he joined his dad’s company, Benefit Controls of the Carolinas, working more than 30 years in the employee benefits and insurance industry.


This story begins with Ken’s daughter, Lea Ward (’16), who followed her parents in attending NGU. She and her suitemate, Randi McAda (’17), became best friends.


Within four years of graduation, at 26, Randi’s life came to a complete standstill. She learned that both her kidneys were failing and was placed on dialysis.


Leah’s family immediately went online to learn about the process of becoming a living organ donor. “All of us felt that if Randi needs a kidney, we [each] have two,” Ken said.


They applied, and out of all the family members, Ken was the only match.


After several months of mental and physical screening, the surgery was scheduled.


“Two days before the surgery, they found a younger match for Randi in Utah. They asked if I would consider giving the kidney to someone I didn’t know,” he said.


He asked himself if he was a giver or a conditional giver. “I am a giver; no strings attached.”


That resulted in Ken donating a kidney to a Summerville, SC, man


who had been on dialysis and on the transplant list for three years.


The day after the surgery, in what Ken described as an awkward moment, he was able to meet the recipient.


“You have an odd connection with someone you have never seen before,” he said.


He receives accolade descriptors – such as “selfless,” “special,” or even “crazy” – but he isn’t comfortable with the continual compliments.


“I’m no one special,” he said. “There’s a lot of parts of your body that can help people. God gave you two kidneys for a reason. Others can do what I did. Check that box on your driver’s license registration.”❚


NGU.EDU | 15


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