“This is the one decision I have made in my life of which I am most sure.”
-Marine Corporal Joshua C. Watkins, Deceased
A 1999 graduate of Allen D. Nease High School, Josh was a student at UNF for three
years when he decided to leave school and enlist in the
Marines. He chose the Marines because of their elite status
and, specifically, chose infantry as his specialty knowing
he would probably go to Iraq. Tragically on October 21,
2006, ten days before he was due to return home to Camp
Lejune, North Carolina, he was killed in action in the
Anbar Province of Iraq.
He loved the Marine Corps, his family and his country.
An only child, Josh truly believed he was fighting over
there so that his mother and others could be safe over here.
He felt that fighting terrorism in Iraq would prevent
having to fight it here.
In December 2006, Josh’s mother and uncle, Amy Vazquez and David Tillis, established
the Marine Corporal Joshua C. Watkins Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund at the
University of North Florida
“It was clear there was no turning back. Josh was going to be a Marine.”
-David G. Tillis, Joshua’s Uncle
to honor Joshua’s sacrifice and aid returning veterans in
continuing their education, as Josh had planned to do. Beginning in the Fall semester of
2007, scholarships were made available for active duty, reserve or honorably discharged
military personnel enrolled full time at UNF, with preference given to Marines.
Today, through the generosity of others, notably the PGA Tour,
and Ponte Vedra residents Robert and Monica Jacoby, the
endowment has grown to over $120,000. An endowed
scholarship exists in perpetuity, making this an excellent
opportunity to honor a local hero and show support for our
local military personnel to whom we owe our continued
freedom.
The Marine Corporal Joshua C. Watkins Memorial Endowed
Scholarship Fund reached the point where it is eligible for a 50% State matching grant.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to leverage your gift and make a difference in your
community.
For more information, contact:
Brandon T. McCray, Assistant Vice President for Development
University of North Florida 1 UNF Drive Jacksonville, FL 32224 (904) 620-2557
Give online: http://www.unf.edu/development/watkins
