Jesse B. Smith Memorial Scholarship

Jesse B. Smith was a longtime point man for Jacksonville's economic development initiatives under four mayors.

The most notable work of this outstanding public official took place during his appointment as Deputy Director of the Planning and Development Department of the city from 1990-1995. During this time, he was a key organizer of many of the city's efforts to attract new businesses and was very successful in obtaining state and federal assistance.

THE SCHOLARSHIP

Purpose
Aid in tuition expenses of four-year undergraduate or graduate students pursuing degrees in city planning, urban studies, public administration or related field.

Eligibility Requirements
Any resident of Duval County or any area of Jacksonville, including Baldwin, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach, who is currently enrolled in or has been accepted into any higher education institution located in the county.

Availability
Scholarships may be awarded to a maximum of three (3) recipients for the upcoming academic year.

Application Requirements
Complete and proper submission of the application and all its components are required before consideration will be made, including academic standing, extracurricular involvement and letters of reference.

Click here for a copy of the 2012-2013 Scholarship Application. You may also call (904) 255-7814 to request an application via mail or stop by the following location:

Jesse B. Smith Memorial Scholarship Review Committee
Planning and Development Department
Office of the Director
214 North Hogan Street, Suite 300
Ed Ball Building
Jacksonville, FL 32202

For more information regarding the scholarship application, please call (904) 255-7814, or e-mail Patj@coj.net

2010-2011 Academic Year Recipients

Kenneth Darity
 

Kenneth Darity (center), an MBA graduate student at Webster University, is presented a Jesse B. Smith Scholarship check by Mayor John Peyton. Darity is accompanied by the Lead Program Associate at the Jacksonville Children's Commission, Sylvester Pinkney.

Lloyd Thurman
 

Lloyd Thurman (center), an MPA graduate student at the University of North Florida, is presented a Jesse B. Smith Scholarship check by Mayor John Peyton. Thurman is accompanied by his father, Michael Thurman.