Brooksville family establishes scholarship fund for Bracken students at UK

Bracken County students interested in an education career have a unique opportunity for help through a new endowed scholarship established at the University of Kentucky College of Education. The scholarship, established in memory of a former Brooksville resident and his family, is designated for the exclusive use of Bracken County students.

The Perkins Family Endowed Scholarship Fund was created by a gift to the UK College of Education from James Perkins in memory of his parents, Harry D. Perkins, Sr. and Juanita Perkins, and his brother, Harry Perkins, Jr..

Harry Perkins, Sr. was born and raised in Brooksville. He and his wife earned bachelor's degrees in education from the University of Kentucky in 1933. Harry, Sr. went on to earn an MA in Education eight years later. Harry and Juanita Perkins committed their lives to education, teaching first in Woodford County before settling in northern Kentucky, Juanita to teach and Harry to serve as principal in several schools, concluding with a distinguished tenure at Blue Ash Elementary School in the northern end of Cincinnati. Harry, Sr. passed away at age 94 in 2000. His wife died in 1987.

Harry Perkins, Jr. earned his bachelor's degree from UK in 1953. He also dedicated his life to education, teaching first at Lafayette High School in Lexington, then moved to Cincinnati to teach at Samuel Ach, Lyon Junior High and Crest Hills Junior High. He died in 1993.

The Perkins Family Endowed Scholarship Fund was established to honor the Perkins family's dedication to education and with respect to Harry Perkins, Sr.'s desire to give something back to his native Bracken County. Therefore, the scholarship will be used to aid UK College of Education undergraduate or graduate students from Bracken County interested in pursuing a career in education. For information about how to apply, contact the office of the associate dean for academic and student services at (859) 257-8847.

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