Posted on December 17, 2015.
Star Staff Reports
Jarmelle Jone
The mission of the Elvin Taylor’s State Farm Agency Jarmelle Jones Future Business Leaders Scholarship Fund is to provide high school students residing within the Memphis and Shelby County city limits with an opportunity to obtain funding towards their college degree. With about 20 percent of the Memphis population living below the poverty level, applicants will be required to reside in a home with a household income of $42,000 per year or less. Other criteria for entry will include: A 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), a letter of acceptance into The University of Memphis, and an essay describing their intended businesses major in the Fogelman College of Business and their desired profession. The scholarship fund has been named in memory of University of Memphis alum Jarmelle Jones; who was murdered in November 2014. Jarmelle was widely known by family, friends, and classmates for his community involvement, philanthropic acts, and passion for his alma mater- the University of Memphis. Jarmelle embodied all of the “Good Neighbor” attributes that State Farm continues to stand on. By including the criterion of being a Fogelman College of Business student, it allows for a more intimate connection with the Agent’s alma mater and one of the top business schools in the country. In addition, it increases campus marketability; thus providing more visibility to the individual Agency independent of the world renown State Farm brand. With college students entering our target age range and preparing for their futures, being a presence in the continuously improving Fogelman College of Business will be extremely beneficial. In addition, it aids in developing future leaders and providing a stronger campus presence and potentially recruiting future State Farm Agents, Sales Leaders, etc.
The amount of the scholarship fund will increase annually through the first 5 years of operation ($1,000, $3,000, $5,000, $7,500, and $10,000) and potentially increase with joint efforts from other companies/organizations in the future. In honor of Mr. Jones, the fund will be suspended for one year and all funds will go towards the higher education of his younger sibling-Jordan Jones.
