UMES Alumni Association Baltimore Chapter

Scholarship Funds

The Edwards Wilkens Scholarship Fund was established in 1985 under the leadership of Jesse Edwards, President of the Baltimore Alumni Chapter. The chapter members decided that this scholarship would be designated as a book scholarship to help defray the cost of books. The scholarship was named for Edward Wilkens Sr., a graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Princess Anne Academy) in 1941. Ed Wilkens was one the founders and the first president of the Baltimore Alumni Chapter, which was started in the mid 1940's.

The first scholarships were awarded to two freshmen entering UMES in 1986 for $500. The chapter has granted two scholarships per year since the beginning of the establishment of the fund. The Baltimore Chapter has increased the grant from $500 to $1,000 per year. In addition to the Edward Wilkens Scholarship, the chapter has established a Hardship Scholarship. This scholarship is designed to help any student in need of assistance with the approval of the chapter members.

In 2000 the Arthur B. Jenkins Music Scholarship was established under the leadership of Delphine Lee, president of the Baltimore Alumni Chapter. Arthur graduated form UMES in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. He was a music instructor in the Baltimore City Public Schools, taught private music lessons after school hours, minister of music in his church, band director, but most of all a committed, dedicated member of the Baltimore Alumni Chapter and UMES. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and a music enthusiast. Arthur Jenkins passed in 1999 and because of his dedication to the Baltimore Alumni Chapter a music scholarship was established to commemorate his name. The student applying for this scholarship must major in music preferably entering UMES as freshmen. A recipient in good standing can receive $1,000 for four years.

Applications for the Edward Wilkens and the Arthur B. Jenkins Scholarships are sent to the guidance office of high schools in the Baltimore and surrounding counties during the month of February of each year. The scholarship packets are to be completed in its entirety and returned to the address below no later than April 15th of each year. Scholarship applications can also be obtained from any member of the Baltimore Chapter and most recently from the Baltimore Alumni Chapter web site. The Hardship Scholarship can be obtained by writing a letter of request explaining the need/emergency to the Baltimore Alumni Chapter. The organization reviews each request and makes a decision to comply or deny based on each individual case. A response is usually given within a month of the request.

Application Information

Edwards Wilkens Scholarship: Eligibility Criteria [PDF] | Application [PDF]

Arthur B. Jenkins Music Scholarship: Eligibility Criteria [PDF] | Application [PDF]