Jerry Elkins believed in the power of education. 

Before he passed away in 2015, Jerry Elkins of Batesville spent most of his life as a high school science teacher, counselor, and principal in Tuckerman, Parkin, Mammoth Spring, and Cave City.

“Jerry tried to start each day with a positive thought,” said his wife, Teresa. “He always tried to find the good in people. He said that everyone had something good in them. You just had to help them find it.”

Teresa Elkins donated $10,000 to start an endowed scholarship at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in memory of her husband. Donations are being accepted so the scholarship can impact students as soon as possible.

The Jerry and Teresa Elkins Endowed Scholarship will provide assistance for a UA Little Rock College of Education and Health Professions student enrolled in the Master of Education in Counselor Education program. Preference will be given to applicants residing in Sharp or Independence counties, where Elkins lived and worked.

Jerry and Teresa both worked as school counselors. The couple even met during a session for first-year school counselors at a conference in Hot Springs. It was Jerry’s wish to start a scholarship to help future counselors.

“Counseling is a profession that we don’t have enough people in right now,” Teresa Elkins said. “With the added stress in the world, we need people who are trained to listen and to help people.”

Teresa Elkins will hold a fundraiser Thursday, Sept. 21, to celebrate the launch of the scholarship. The event is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. at her home, 6 Riverview Drive in Batesville. Dr. Jason Kushner, graduate program coordinator, will discuss the good work being done in the UA Little Rock Master of Education in Counselor Education program.

First Community Bank in Batesville has donated a painting for the event’s silent auction and has pledged to support the scholarship for three years.

To contribute to the Jerry and Teresa Elkins Endowed Scholarship, mail a check to the UA Little Rock Office of Alumni and Development at 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock, AR 72204. Checks should be made to the University of Arkansas Foundation.

For more information, contact Christopher Dickie at 870.834.7829 or csdickie@ualr.edu.