FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As a tribute to Jerry C. Wilcox, of Little Rock, one of Arkansas’ most admired architects and community leaders, the School of Architecture has announced the establishment of a $30,000 memorial scholarship.

The Jerry and J.C. Wilcox Memorial Scholarship has been funded through gifts from more than 90 corporations and individuals throughout Arkansas.

"This scholarship is a long-lasting tribute to Jerry Wilcox, who made a tremendous impact on the state of Arkansas as an architect and community leader," said Jeff Shannon, interim dean of the School of Architecture. "The sheer number of people who supported this scholarship demonstrates how much Jerry meant to the community, his peers and the School of Architecture."

Wilcox was president of The Wilcox Group, in Little Rock, until his death in 1999.

"Jerry was devoted to the practice of quality architecture in the state of Arkansas and particularly to the School of Architecture’s goal of producing the finest architects not only in Arkansas but also in the nation," said Steve Kinzler, AIA, president of The Wilcox Group. "The scholarship will encourage the educational ambitions of deserving students and the spirit of community service Jerry so enthusiastically demonstrated."

The scholarship is awarded to a fourth- or fifth-year architecture student who, like Wilcox, best represents strong academic merit and a commitment to community and civic activities.

Wilcox, a Little Rock native and a fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), was involved with numerous award-winning projects at Arkansas State University at Mountain Home, Ouachita Baptist University, Baptist Health, the University of Arkansas Fayetteville and Little Rock campuses, the new Hot Springs Convention Center and the Alltel Arena. He was a graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Architecture and served as a member of the school’s Professional Advisory Board and Dean’s Circle. He was also the first recipient of the school’s Distinguished Service Award, a John Williams Fellow and a board member of the University of Arkansas Alumni Association.

In addition, Wilcox received posthumously the E.Fay Jones Gold Medal-the state’s highest professional distinction. The medal is awarded to an individual who demonstrates excellence in design, leadership and service to the state of Arkansas and the AIA.

Wilcox also served as president of the Arkansas Chapter of the AIA and the Arkansas State Board of Architects. At the national level, he was a member of the AIA Committee on Architecture for Education and chair of the AIA Committee on Architecture for the Arts and Recreation. His civic activities included positions on the board of directors for the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, American Heart Association, City Beautiful Commission, Little Rock Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Camp Aldersgate, Pathfinders, Inc., Alltel Arena Arts Advisory Committee and Troop 59 of the Boy Scouts of America. He was also active in the Downtown Little Rock Rotary Club, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Asbury United Methodist Church.

The Jerry and J.C. Wilcox Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of Wilcox and, at his request, his father J.C. Wilcox, who encouraged his son to pursue his dream of becoming an architect.

This spring, Greg Williams, a fourth-year student from Magnolia became the first recipient of the Wilcox scholarship.

Those wishing to make contributions to the Jerry and J.C. Wilcox Memorial Scholarship may contact Charlotte Taylor, director of development, University of Arkansas School of Architecture 120 Vol Walker Hall, Fayetteville, AR 72701, (479) 575-7384.

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Editors: There is a print-quality JPEG available for download at http://pigtrail.uark.edu/news.