Foundation | GivingApril 03, 2023

Gift Establishes Franklin and H. Patricia Hawkins Memorial Scholarship

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith received a meaningful gift of $150,000 from the Hawkins Family to establish the Franklin and H. Patricia Hawkins Memorial Scholarship Endowment. The endowment, established on November 21, 2022, honors the legacy of the late couple, known for their lifelong dedication to the Fort Smith community and to UAFS.

Honoring the memory of H. Patricia Hawkins, who passed away October 25, 2022, the first scholarship from this endowment will be available in the 2024-2025 academic year, with financial need being a primary criterion for recipients.

Both Pat and Franklin Hawkins started with modest financial means and became successful entrepreneurs in Fort Smith. The scholarship aims to reflect their journey by supporting UAFS students who are working hard to build their futures.

“Pat Hawkins was the perfect example of a self-made person who made it on her own through hard work and determination. She believed in a hand up, not a handout, which is the spirit of this gift,” said the family. “She loved UAFS, and helping to support the education of Fort Smithians seemed like an appropriate way to honor her.”

Franklin Hawkins, a Fort Smith native, had a deep-rooted connection with UAFS, dating back to its inception. He attended its predecessor, Fort Smith Junior College, when the campus was under the bleachers of Grizzlies Stadium. He later served as President of the Board of WestArk and as a board member for many years.

“By establishing this scholarship, we hope to ease some financial burdens for UAFS students and allow for more of their efforts to be focused on their education and careers,” the family added.

The Hawkins family previously honored their late mother through the Lucia Leigh Hawkins Memorial Scholarship Endowment, which, since its inception in 1989, has distributed 147 awards and impacted the lives of 85 UAFS students.

These scholarship endowments represent a testament to the family’s enduring legacy in the Fort Smith community and their commitment to changing lives and empowering the success of future generations.