Fran L. Wilkinson Memorial Scholarship Recipients Named

On April 23, 1994, members of the House of Delegates unanimously voted to name the Academy's annual scholarship the Fran L. Wilkinson Memorial Scholarship, as a token of remembrance, affection and esteem. Fran was a leader in the CPM program at the state and national level, serving as President of the Georgia State Society in 1983 and chair of the National CPM Consortium in 1987. Fran died June 6, 1990, at an early age, as the result of a ruptured aneurysm. The Academy remembers her through this memorial scholarship, which provides funds annually to deserving students who plan a career in public service. This scholarship supports one of AACPM’s objectives – "to promote a high professional, educational and ethical standard in public management".

At the Academy Awards banquet, Barbara Taft, Wilkinson Scholarship Committee Chair, announced the selection of two to receive the 2009 Fran L. Wilkinson Memorial Scholarship. Receiving these were Julie Farris of Arkansas and Tricia Foster of New Hampshire.

Julie Farris has served in public positions all her adult life. She says, “Making a positive impact on other’s lives is dear to my heart.”  Julie will apply her Wilkinson Scholarship toward  earning a bachelor’s degree from Kaplan University. This achievement will qualify her to teach at the collegiate level and lend credibility to two additional goals – establishing a local business ethics association and promoting a non-profit Arkansas State Business Ethics Association. While attending Kaplan University, Julie will continue to serve as regional manager for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, will guide the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Managers® as President Elect, and will actively support the American Academy of Certified Public Managers®. When asked why she was deserving of the Wilkinson Scholarship, Farris stated. “Although I have full-time employment, the added expense is very difficult to afford. I will have a remaining five terms to complete and each term will be approximately equivalent in costs. On a personal note, my husband is disabled and works part-time. He does not receive any disability benefits. This makes my income crucial to our family. The financial burden of continuing my education is a challenge.”  Julie has been involved in varied community activities such as coaching her daughter’s softball team, teaching Sunday school to teenagers, and serving as an advisor to the Future Business Leaders of America organization. She is liaison to her local Chamber of Commerce and is an active member of numerous professional organizations. Julie’s husband, Michael, is a native Arkansan from the Calico Rock area and is a part-time river guide. She and Michael completed tours of duty in the military over 22 years ago and subsequently returned to Arkansas to be married. Their 19-year old daughter, Susan, has enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and will soon report to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, for basic training.

An open letter from Tricia Foster also demonstrates just how much these scholarships can impact a person’s growth and quest for knowledge:

“In order to enrich my life and grow personally, I began taking college courses in the fall of 2008. I am currently enrolled in the accounting program at the New Hampshire Technical Institute located in Concord, New Hampshire. This course of study will allow me to broaden my skills and make me a more versatile employee at the Department of Health and Human Services where I have been employed for the past eleven years.

Receiving the Wilkinson Scholarship has been a tremendous help to financing my education goals. I am a mother of two school-aged children. The recession has impacted our family over the past two years. In 2007, after 10 years of employment, my husband was laid off from his position as parts manager for a construction equipment dealer. Since then he has gained employment in two other positions. Three months ago he was laid off again due to the decline in business, leaving mine as the sole income for our family. I would not have been able to enroll in a class this semester if I had not been a recipient of the Wilkinson Scholarship. I would like to thank the Wilkinson Chair, Barbara Taft, and the committee for awarding me this scholarship.”

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