The new scholarship was established by alumni couple Candy and Bryan Johnson to support students who demonstrate leadership ability and a dedication to service.
The Virginia Martin Leadership & Service Endowed Scholarship was established at Austin Peay State University by alumni couple Candy and Bryan Johnson. Virginia Martin, Candy’s grandmother, was a civil rights leader and community advocate, and the Johnsons wish to support Austin Peay State University students who are similarly committed to leadership and service.
According to an article on Austin Peay State University's website, Kris Phillips, who serves as the university’s vice president for Alumni, Engagement and Philanthropy, was quoted as saying of the new scholarship, “The Johnsons’ commitment to honoring Virginia Martin’s legacy through this scholarship demonstrates the lasting impact one person can have on their community. By supporting students who show dedication to leadership and service, this endowment will help cultivate future leaders who, like Mrs. Martin, understand that true leadership means serving others. This scholarship embodies the Govs For Life Experience by connecting our students to a powerful legacy of service.”
The Virginia Martin Leadership & Service Endowed Scholarship will be available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors of any major. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, be full-time students, and must demonstrate leadership and dedication to service on campus or in the community. Students can reapply for the scholarship each year.
Virginia Martin was a well-known individual in the Clarksville, Tennessee community. She owned Virginia’s Café on College Street and was a member and president of the NAACP and the Commission on Race and Religion (CORR). She served as a Christian missionary and spent 30 years in jail ministry. Her husband, Otis L. Martin, was a World War II veteran, farmer, and a Clarksville police officer.
Candy spoke about her grandmother and the impact she had on her life, as well as how Virginia became the inspiration for this scholarship. She said, “My grandmother taught us from an early age that service to mankind should always come before self-interest, and she gave me and my cousins many opportunities to help others, which became the foundation of my lifelong commitment to service. She often said, ‘If you can do anything, serve somebody without expecting something in return, because that’s what God expects of His followers.’ She treated everyone with dignity, made sure people had an advocate in times of distress, and led by example. Through this scholarship, we hope to support students who share her values and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.”
Bryan and Candy both follow Virginia’s example and have had numerous civic engagement and leadership roles in the community, both during their time at Austin Peay State University and after their graduation.
Bryan earned his business administration degree and played on the football team for four years. He volunteered with Room in the Inn Student Homeless Outreach and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. In 2019, he earned the Outstanding Young Alumnus award at the Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Candy earned her degree in public management. She was a young single mother when she began her college education and maintained her full-time student status while also juggling motherhood, a job, and her many leadership commitments. She was a Student Government Association (SGA) senator, chairperson of the SGA’s Community Service Committee, and the Governor’s Ambassador to the Office of the President. She founded the APSU Room in the Inn Student Outreach initiative to help individuals experiencing homelessness. She was a member of the 2005 Homecoming Court and was recognized with the Meningall Governor’s Cup Award and the Wilbur N. Daniel Service & Leadership Award. At 25 years old, she became the city of Clarksville’s youngest elected official in its history. She was also recognized as an the Outstanding Young Alumnus at the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards.
The Johnsons hope this scholarship will help students overcome financial barriers so they can complete their education and become community leaders and engage in service.
For more information about Austin Peay State University, visit the school’s website.