Friends, family establish Kenneth L. Adkison Memorial Scholarship
April 9, 2017
A scholarship for Northwestern Oklahoma State University student-athletes has been established by friends and family of Kenneth (Kenny) Adkison to honor his life and the legacy he left for his children and for generations to come.
Born on June 20, 1971, in Oklahoma City, Adkison graduated with honors from Putnam City West High School where he played football and golf. He went on to attend Northwestern where he played football as a safety and was named First Team Academic All-American. He also was a member of Phi Beta Lambda. Adkison graduated from Northwestern in 1993 with degrees in both accounting and economics. He passed away on June 1, 2013, after battling a brain tumor, leaving his wife, Paula, and three children Ainslee, Colton and Joshua.
"This scholarship is a great tribute to Kenny Adkison's family and his Northwestern legacy," said Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president. "Clearly, he held a special place in the hearts of his teammates and Ranger fans."
Although he had a successful career, most recently as the assistant controller for Safety-Kleen in Dallas, Adkison's favorite roles were husband and father. He often could be found at gymnastics meets, on soccer fields, at Taekwondo and baseball games cheering on each of his children.
Growing up with Adkison, Brad Vincent, '93, said they became friends playing little league basketball when they were just eight years old. They went to the same junior high and high school, and then went to Northwestern where they played football and were college roommates.
"Kenny was one of the biggest influences in my life along with my sister, mother and father," said Vincent. "He was an incredible gentleman and scholar. Kenny is remembered by everyone he touched as a true gentleman, highly intellectual, an incredible athlete and, most important, the best friend anyone could ask for."
Vincent said the main reason he and others chose to establish this scholarship was "to keep Kenny's name alive and to give back to the University and community he loved."
"Northwestern has been great to me; therefore, giving back to the University is special," said Vincent. "My years there were some of the best years of my life and I was able to live them with my best friend, Kenny."
Full-time, continuing student-athletes with a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average are eligible for the Kenneth L. Adkison Memorial Scholarship. Preference will be given to football and golf student-athletes. The scholarship may be applied toward university-related expenses, including tuition, fees, books, room and board.
For more information on the Kenneth L. Adkison Memorial Scholarship, or about investing in Northwestern students, call Skeeter Bird, Northwestern Foundation CEO, at 580-327-8593 or email him at [email protected].
Reader Comments(0)