George Jones Family Establishes MTSU Scholarship

Nancy Jones, wife of country music legend George Jones, announced Monday (Nov. 18) that the Jones family has established a scholarship fund at Middle Tennessee State University in the hopes of creating a "living memorial" to the icon, who died in Nashville earlier this year.

“George would have liked the fact that MTSU attracts so many first-generation college students, as well as students who face financial challenges,” Nancy says in a press release. “Like George, they are hard-working folks who are determined to make their dreams a reality.”

The scholarship was announced in Nashville at the unveiling of a monument to the late singer. Nancy made the first donation to the fund, which will be overseen by MTSU Recording Industry Department Chair Beverly Keel. The pair were married for 30 years before his passing.

“MTSU is a very appropriate place to honor George Jones because of its nationally known recording industry program,” MTSU President Sidney McPhee says. “We have educated many of the leaders of the country music industry and we are dedicated to teaching students about the important contributions of country music.”

Donations to the fund can be made at MTSU's website or by mail at George Jones Scholarship Fund, MTSU, Office of Development, Box 109, Murfreesboro, TN 37132. For more information, call 615-898-5595 or email devofc@mtsu.edu.