Kilgore Establishes Endowed Scholarship at UA College of Engineering

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Tom Kilgore has recently established the Myra Blevins Kilgore Endowed Scholarship to promote the education of students in The University of Alabama College of Engineering. Kilgore established the scholarship in honor of his wife, Myra, as a surprise holiday gift.

“I am excited by this gift and the impact it will have on our students,” said Dr. Chuck Karr, dean of the College of Engineering. “Thanks to the Kilgores’ generosity, the University can continue attracting the best and brightest students from the state of Alabama.”

Myra Blevins Kilgore was born in Hamilton County, Tenn., and raised in DeKalb County, Ala. She graduated from Ider High School in Ider, Ala., and married Tom Kilgore the summer following her graduation. She was employed as an administrative assistant at Morrison and Smith, LLC, a Tuscaloosa accounting firm, while her husband pursued his bachelor’s of science in mechanical engineering. Tom Kilgore said his wife essentially earned a “putting hubby through degree” for her working to support the two of them while he completed his degrees.

Tom Kilgore received a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the Capstone in 1970 and continued his education with a master of science in industrial engineering from Texas A&M University. Kilgore currently serves as chief executive officer of Tennessee Valley Authority in Knoxville, Tenn.

The Kilgores have three children: Jennifer, a University of Alabama graduate, and Jeremy and Matthew, and five grandchildren.

Priority consideration for the scholarship shall be given to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Engineering who are residents of DeKalb or Jackson Counties.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s fully accredited College of Engineering has more than 2,300 students and over 100 faculty. In the last seven years, students in the College have been named USA Today All-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater scholars, Hollings scholars and Portz scholars.

The Kilgores’ gift is part of UA’s “Our Students. Our Future.” campaign. The campaign’s $500 million goal includes $250 million for student scholarships. The remaining funds are allocated to faculty support, facilities and priority needs. The campaign has raised more than $483 million since 2002.