Former president of the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe, Ernie Jones, Sr., passed away last September. But a new scholarship, established in his name, will continue his advocacy for education in our community.

On April 5, the family of the late Ernie Jones, Sr., along with board members from the Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe, joined more than 200 donors and scholarship recipients at the Yavapai College Foundation’s 9th Annual Scholarship Reception. Together, they honored Jones’ lifelong commitment to education.

“My father loved education and learning,” Ernie Jones’ daughter Iris explained. “His life’s goal was to encourage students and push them to learn in order to be successful in life. He felt that education was the essential key to that success. He was always asking, ‘what is your contribution going to be?’”

As an alumnus of Yavapai College and a long-standing member of the Yavapai College Foundation Board of Directors, Jones’ commitment to education spanned decades. To honor his legacy, the Yavapai College Foundation Board of Directors has contributed $25,000 to establish the Ernie Jones, Sr. Endowed Memorial Scholarship at Yavapai College.

“Too often, the biggest obstacle between a student and collegiate success is a financial one,” said Paul Kirchgraber, executive director of the foundation. “This endowed scholarship is available to students in Yavapai County who demonstratefinancial need, and it will create a lasting legacy in Ernie’s name by benefiting future generations of YC students.”

For more information on the Ernie Jones, Sr. Endowed Memorial Scholarship, and other Yavapai College Foundation scholarships, please visit www.yc.edu/financialaid.