The Pensacola State College Foundation (PSCF) is humbled to announce that the Escambia High School (EHS) Alumni Scholarship in Memory of Deborah Poe Milam was established on Tuesday, December 7th with a $5,000 gift from the EHS Class of 1970 and a $1,000 gift from Willie Ray Milam Jr. in loving honor of his wife.
Deborah Poe Milam was a businesswoman and leader in the banking industry for more than 40 years, but more importantly, she was a kind and compassionate person. Debi lived a life in service to others, devoting her time and energy to making the community a better place for all through women’s groups, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Community Action Committee, and Mardi Gras Krewe de Wilde. Her husband, Willie Ray Milam Jr., describes Debi as the type of person who lit up an entire room with her presence. Hugh Fones, who had known Debi since middle school, echoed that praise claiming, “If you had Debi Milam on your team, you could accomplish anything.”
It is no surprise that Debi’s legacy has inspired her peers to give back in her memory. Debi’s classmates chose to honor the Pensacola Junior College Alumna by giving others the priceless gift of education with this new award at Pensacola State College.
Classmate and good friend, Dr. Betsy Botts said, “[We] want people to remember Debi, her beautiful spirit, and her love for our community.” Fellow EHS alumnus, LTC Howard Rogers USAR (Ret) agreed, stating that “many of [their] classmates also attended PJC, now PSC, so this is the perfect opportunity to give current EHS students a path to success in Debi’s name.”
The scholarship will benefit EHS graduates who have a 3.0 grade point average or higher. Students can apply for the new award by completing the PSC Scholarship Application. The Escambia High School Alumni Scholarship in Memory of Deborah Poe Milam will be awarded for the first time in the Spring 2022 term.
Contributions to the fund can be made online by selecting “Escambia High School Alumni Scholarship in Memory of Deborah Poe Milam” from the drop-down menu. Gifts can also be made by check payable to “The Pensacola State College Foundation” with a note that states “EHS Alumni Scholarship in Memory of Deborah Poe Milam.” Checks can be mailed or dropped off to: Pensacola State College Foundation, 1000 College Boulevard, Building 17, Pensacola, FL 32504. Please note that checks must be postmarked by December 31st for claim on 2021 taxes.
Interested in establishing a scholarship to honor someone special in your life? Contact the Foundation at (850) 484-1560.