The family of Jimmy and Patsy Burns has established a scholarship through the East Arkansas Community College Foundation to honor their memory and show support for Palestine-Wheatley High School graduates continuing into post-secondary education at EACC. 

Jimmy Burns, who lived his entire life in Palestine, was a farmer and member of the Arkansas National Guard.  His wife Patsy worked for over twenty-five years in the cafeteria for the Palestine-Wheatley School District.  The children and grandchildren of Jimmy and Patsy Burns have established the memorial scholarship to honor their family’s love of education and growth of the Palestine-Wheatley School District. 

“Our family has established this scholarship in honor of our beloved parents and grandparents in hopes that it will encourage local high school students to continue their education,” said Emily Burns, granddaughter of the late Jimmy and Patsy Burns.  “Jimmy and Patsy Burns instilled their love of education in their children and grandchildren who now hope to share the opportunity of higher education to a graduate from Palestine-Wheatley High School,” she added. 

“The generosity of the Jimmy and Patsy Burns family in creating this scholarship provides our entering students from Palestine-Wheatley with the opportunity to progress into post-secondary education in hopes of making positive contributions to our local communities,” said Niki Jones, EACC Director of Development. 

The Jimmy and Patsy Burns Scholarship is dedicated to assisting an entering student at EACC who has graduated from Palestine-Wheatley High School.  The award is $750 per semester, based on availability of funds, to cover expenses of tuition, fees, books, and supplies.      

Criteria for application is as follows:

The applicant must be an entering full-time student at EACC with a minimum of 12 hours per semester, and a graduate from Palestine-Wheatley High School having earned and maintained a cumulative minimum 2.0 GPA.  The applicant must present two letters of recommendation –one from a high school teacher and one from a non-family member.  The applicant must also submit a one-page personal letter explaining why he/she feels qualified to receive the scholarship.  Recipients must maintain a 2.0 GPA cumulative GPA or better at EACC and full-time status.

The EACC Foundation’s mission is to generate support and advocacy for East Arkansas Community College in the communities it serves. 

The deadline for application will be August 1st.  Applications and additional information is available in the EACC Financial Aid Department in the Hodges Student Services Complex or the Development Office located in the EACC Fine Arts Center or at 870-633-4480, ext. 352.

Emily Burns and Jamie McCoy, grandchildren of Jimmy and Patsy Burns, look over the Jimmy and Patsy Burns Memorial Scholarship application with Niki Jones, EACC Director of Development.