Oak Ridge residents start scholarship endowment at Murray State in Kentucky

MURRAY, Ky.—Murray State University alumni have created the James Frank and Patricia Ann Wilson Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics Scholarship Endowment.

James and Pat both entered Murray State University in the fall of 1962, but they came from very different backgrounds. James was born in Murray and graduated from Murray High School. Pat was born in the Bronx, was raised in Rye, New York, and graduated from Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. At the end of their sophomore year, they met when running for office of junior class representative.

Both were members of Murray State Greek life. Pat Rankin Wilson was a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, and James was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Pat served a term as the Pi Kappa Alpha Dream Girl, but, James said, “by that time I already knew she was my dream girl.”

The Wilsons married in 1966 at First United Methodist Church in Murray and immediately moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where they still live. James has served as a Tennessee attorney in private practice for more than 40 years, after receiving a bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics and a minor in chemistry. Pat is a former Oak Ridge elementary school teacher.

Murray State is a large part of the Wilson’s family history. Of their four children, two attended Murray State. James’ uncle, William Vernon James, was a member of the first four-year class to graduate from Murray State. Both of James’ parents, J.B. and Ruth Wilson, and his brother, Dr. William R. Wilson, and his two children attended Murray State. James was taught and advised by Drs. Blackburn, Read, and Carman, heads of their respective departments.

James said, “After a lifetime of work, it’s time to make the gifts of a lifetime. I had a spectacular education at Murray State and wold do it over again without question. My life was forever changed for the better as a result of my education and life long friendships established here decades ago.”

The Wilsons started their first scholarship in the early 1980s in James’ father’s name, the J.B. Wilson Pre-Pharmacy Scholarship. Over the years, they have contributed to scholarships in the names of Dr. Blackburn, Read, and Carman “out of honor and respect for them,” said James.

Their most recent scholarship—the James Frank and Patricia Ann Wilson Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics Scholarship Endowment—has already reached a balance of $200,000.

To be applicable, students must be a full-time junior or senior at Murray State majoring in chemistry, physics, or mathematics.

Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Preference shall be given to graduates of Murray High School. Students will be able to apply for the scholarship in Fall 2017 and receive the benefits in Fall 2018.

This press release was submitted by Shawn Touney.