Margarette S. Berrisford during her time as PJC’s Dean of Women (c. 1961).
The legacy of educator and longtime Pensacola Junior College employee Margarette S. Berrisford continues to create opportunities for women at the College through the Margarette S. Berrisford Endowed Scholarship for Women.
In April of this year, the Margarette S. Berrisford Trust allocated an additional $6,745 to the total corpus of this permanently restricted endowed scholarship, further strengthening the fund established through Berrisford’s estate to support female students at PSC. During the 2025–2026 academic year, the scholarship awarded
$1,150.59 in support to two students pursuing their educational goals.
A graduate of Murray State University and the University of Florida, Berrisford dedicated four decades to education. Her career began teaching music in public schools in River Junction, Florida, before she later moved to Pensacola and taught at Blount Junior High School. What began as a summer job at the newly established Pensacola Junior College ultimately became a lasting career, as she remained with the institution until her retirement in 1980 serving roles such as Foreign Student Advisor and Dean of Women.
Berrisford passed away on December 28, 2023, at the age of 105. Through her estate planning and generosity, her commitment to education continues to impact future generations of women seeking opportunities through higher education.
One scholarship recipient, Wiswine D., expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support she received. “Thank you for creating the Margarette S. Berrisford Endowed Scholarship for Women,” she shared. “I am pleased to be a recipient. This scholarship ensures that I can further my education, which will allow me to work in service to others. Thank you, again.”
Through the continued support of the Margarette S. Berrisford Trust, her lifelong dedication to education and empowering women will endure for generations to come.