New Scholarship Opportunity for Austin Peay Students

Full-time sophomores, juniors, and seniors can now apply for a new award based on leadership and community service.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Scholarships

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a lone graduation cap on a stone ledge, representing a new scholarship opportunity. — Austin Peay State University has launched the Virginia Martin Leadership & Service Endowed Scholarship to support students committed to community service. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Candy and Bryan Johnson have established the Virginia Martin Leadership & Service Endowed Scholarship at Austin Peay State University. The new award is designed to support full-time undergraduate students who demonstrate commitment to community service.

Why it matters

The endowment honors the legacy of Virginia Martin, a local NAACP leader and business owner who served the Clarksville community for over three decades. It provides a new financial resource for students who prioritize leadership and service in their academic and personal lives.

The scholarship requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and is open to full-time sophomores, juniors, and seniors of any major. Recipients are selected based on their leadership and campus involvement, and they must reapply annually to maintain eligibility.

The players

Austin Peay State University

A public university in Clarksville serving undergraduate and graduate students.

Virginia Martin

A community leader who served as president of the NAACP and operated a local business for over 30 years.

The details

To be considered for this scholarship, students must demonstrate leadership and service through their involvement in both campus and community activities. As an endowed scholarship, the funds are managed by the university to provide recurring support for qualifying students who meet the academic and service criteria established by the donors.

2004: Bryan Johnson earned his degree from Austin Peay.
2005: Candy Johnson was selected for the Homecoming Court.
2006: Candy Johnson earned her degree from Austin Peay.
2019: Bryan Johnson received an Outstanding Young Alumnus award.
2024: Candy Johnson received an Outstanding Young Alumnus award.

Education Landscape

The creation of institutional endowed scholarships provides a mechanism for alumni to align financial support with specific community-based values at public universities. This development continues the trend of private donors funding targeted aid to support student persistence and community engagement.

If you are a sophomore, junior, or senior enrolled full-time at Austin Peay State University, you may be eligible to apply if you hold a 3.0 GPA or higher. Contact the university's financial aid office to inquire about the application cycle and specific requirements for this scholarship.

The takeaway

This new scholarship underscores the importance of combining academic achievement with sustained community service. Students should maintain their service records and verify their GPA standing before the next aid application cycle begins.