The Department of Criminal Justice Sciences has set a goal to endow the Barbara J. Adkins Memorial Scholarship, supporting first-generation students with financial needs. “If the scholarship becomes an endowment, it will be able to support students for years to come,” said Dr. Donna Selman, chair of the department.
Adkins ’86 served the City of Bloomington for 32 years, beginning as a part-time police dispatcher and completing her career as deputy city manager. Following her time with the city, she managed the Cruisin’ With Lincoln on 66 Visitor Center at the McLean County Museum of History.
Adkins was also active in the community, initiating the local Not In Our Town movement, beginning in December 1995. “Barb helped to sustain that movement,” said Mike Matejka, a member of the scholarship team. “She was always ready to stand up for justice and ensure human needs were met.”
She also served on the Bloomington Housing Authority Board and was active with the NAACP and the Central Illinois chapter of The Links, an international service organization. She was also instrumental in supporting the Human Relations Commission and the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon.
The scholarship team has planned a variety of fundraisers to help meet this goal. In addition, gifts are accepted on the giving website.
