Southeast first to start Jack Buck scholarship

Legendary baseball broadcaster Jack Buck is getting a special honor from Southeast Missouri State University, the first school in the state to establish a scholarship in his memory.

The university, in partnership with KMOX Radio in St. Louis, has established the Jack Buck Scholar-Leadership Award in memory of the St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster who died last June at age 77.

Southeast officials said the university has partnered with KMOX to offer the Buck scholarship as a result of its past efforts with the radio station, public television station KETC and McDonald's restaurants in sponsoring an annual Student of Achievement awards luncheon in St. Louis.

Buck routinely served as master of ceremonies at the awards luncheon for high school students.

"He was a strong supporter of Southeast and a consummate professional who is sorely missed, not only in the broadcast booth, but by every resident in the metropolitan area and across the country who was touched by his commitment to excellence and to humanity," said Dr. Ken Dobbins, university president.

Carole Buck, Jack Buck's widow, approved the scholarship plan.

The new scholarship will be given to a student in the St. Louis metropolitan area who has demonstrated the potential for achievement, leadership and community commitment, university officials said.

The award will cover tuition and general fees for up to 32 credit hours a year, as well as room and board.

Private donations to the Southeast Missouri University Foundation and money from existing scholarship funds will pay for the Buck scholarship, school officials said.

The scholarship will be awarded for the first time this spring. It will be presented to a student planning to enter Southeast next fall. The award is renewable each year for up to four consecutive years if the recipient maintains a 3.5 grade-point average in courses taken at Southeast, completes a minimum of 30 credit hours per year and participates in one or more student organizations.

Eligible students who apply for but do not win the Buck award will automatically be eligible for other four-year Southeast scholarships, school officials said.

KMOX is helping to promote the scholarship, said Gretchyn Wright, who handles marketing and special events for KMOX. Buck was a longtime sports director for KMOX.

But Wright said the scholarship wouldn't have happened without the university's participation.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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