The MARY & EUGENE FORD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP had it’s beginning in 1994 as the MARY E. FORD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP after her death in 1993 at the age of 66. The family started awarding $500 scholarships in her memory to deserving seniors at Grace Hope Presbyterian Church and residences of the Smoketown neighborhood in Louisville, KY. Neighborhood friends, family, churches and even strangers gave annual contributions to our dream. In 2001, the scholarship was expanded to include Peace and Shawnee Presbyterian Church seniors. From the beginning there were no operational expenses and after scholarships were awarded, any extra money was placed in an investment account for the future establishment of an endowed scholarship.
After the death of our dad, Eugene in 2007 at the age of 85, the family formed the MARY & EUGENE FORD FOUNDATION, INC. with Patsy Turner (President/Treasurer), Melvin Simms Sr. (Vice President) and Eugene Ford Jr. (Secretary) as the Board of Directors. This foundation awarded three, $600 scholarships annually. The MARY E. FORD SCHOLARSHIP went to a Grace Hope Presbyterian Church or Smoketown neighborhood senior. The EUGENE FORD SR. SCHOLARSHIP was awarded to a Peace Presbyterian Church or Newburg neighborhood senior and the FORD FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP was given to a Central High School senior. The last scholarship awarded by the family was in 2010. Between 1994 and 2010 this family scholarship program had been blessed to have awarded 48 scholarships.
All of the children had moved from Louisville, KY by 2009. A decision was then made to eventually turn the investments over to an institute of higher learning in Kentucky whose foundation would oversee the continuation of granting scholarships to deserving seniors with financial need from Jefferson County, KY. The College Heights Foundation of Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, accepted this responsibility.
The MARY & EUGENE FORD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP was established in 2010 as an endowded non-renewable scholarship awarded by Western Kentucky University to a Central High School, Louisville, KY, African American senior or a Jefferson County Kentucky Public School African American senior with financial need attending WKU. The first scholarship was awarded in 2011.
For over 30 years the Fords were leaders of Boy Scout Troop 36 and Girl Scout Troop 206 at Grace Hope Presbyterian Church. They were active members of all of the PTA’s at each school their five children attended and were also very involved church leaders. Mary had a passion for education and realized that it was the pathway to success for everyone. She graduated from the University of Louisville at the age of 58 and in the mid 1960’s, Eugene was elected to serve as the 8th Ward Alderman on the governing city board of Louisville, KY. For years the Fords sponsored annual bus tours to Florida and other tourist attractions including The World’s Fair in Knoxville and New Orleans for interested Smoketown residents.
Five children were born, raised and nurtured at 958 So Preston St. in Smoketown and attended the same schools as their parents and grandparents. All graduated from Central High School and because of great sacrifices from wonderful parents, they are all college graduates.
Here are a few of the values by which Mary and Eugene lived and taught. They encouraged every one they encountered the importance of passing these values on to future generations.
For information about The Mary & Eugene Ford Memorial Scholarship, contact WKU Admissions and/or Financial Assistance Office. Tax deductible contributions to this endowed scholarship can be sent to The College Heights Foundation, 1906 College Heights Blvd. #41016, Bowling Green, KY 42101-1016.
For additional information about the Ford Family or Family Tree History, email us at [email protected].
After the death of our dad, Eugene in 2007 at the age of 85, the family formed the MARY & EUGENE FORD FOUNDATION, INC. with Patsy Turner (President/Treasurer), Melvin Simms Sr. (Vice President) and Eugene Ford Jr. (Secretary) as the Board of Directors. This foundation awarded three, $600 scholarships annually. The MARY E. FORD SCHOLARSHIP went to a Grace Hope Presbyterian Church or Smoketown neighborhood senior. The EUGENE FORD SR. SCHOLARSHIP was awarded to a Peace Presbyterian Church or Newburg neighborhood senior and the FORD FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP was given to a Central High School senior. The last scholarship awarded by the family was in 2010. Between 1994 and 2010 this family scholarship program had been blessed to have awarded 48 scholarships.
All of the children had moved from Louisville, KY by 2009. A decision was then made to eventually turn the investments over to an institute of higher learning in Kentucky whose foundation would oversee the continuation of granting scholarships to deserving seniors with financial need from Jefferson County, KY. The College Heights Foundation of Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, accepted this responsibility.
The MARY & EUGENE FORD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP was established in 2010 as an endowded non-renewable scholarship awarded by Western Kentucky University to a Central High School, Louisville, KY, African American senior or a Jefferson County Kentucky Public School African American senior with financial need attending WKU. The first scholarship was awarded in 2011.
For over 30 years the Fords were leaders of Boy Scout Troop 36 and Girl Scout Troop 206 at Grace Hope Presbyterian Church. They were active members of all of the PTA’s at each school their five children attended and were also very involved church leaders. Mary had a passion for education and realized that it was the pathway to success for everyone. She graduated from the University of Louisville at the age of 58 and in the mid 1960’s, Eugene was elected to serve as the 8th Ward Alderman on the governing city board of Louisville, KY. For years the Fords sponsored annual bus tours to Florida and other tourist attractions including The World’s Fair in Knoxville and New Orleans for interested Smoketown residents.
Five children were born, raised and nurtured at 958 So Preston St. in Smoketown and attended the same schools as their parents and grandparents. All graduated from Central High School and because of great sacrifices from wonderful parents, they are all college graduates.
Here are a few of the values by which Mary and Eugene lived and taught. They encouraged every one they encountered the importance of passing these values on to future generations.
- Believe in God and His Omnipotent power
- Don’t make excuses
- Always do the best you can and let God do the rest
- Be humble and kind to everyone
- Remember where you came from and always climb higher
For information about The Mary & Eugene Ford Memorial Scholarship, contact WKU Admissions and/or Financial Assistance Office. Tax deductible contributions to this endowed scholarship can be sent to The College Heights Foundation, 1906 College Heights Blvd. #41016, Bowling Green, KY 42101-1016.
For additional information about the Ford Family or Family Tree History, email us at [email protected].
Mary & Eugene Ford's 5 Children: Gene Ford Wilson, Patsy Simms Turner, Marilynn Smith Taylor, Eugene Ford Jr. and Fred Charles Ford.
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Mary & Eugene Ford's 13 grandchildren.
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