Scholarship celebrates 50 years of supporting student leaders

Members of the OHIO Women effort (formerly Women in Philanthropy) present The Leona Hughes Inspiration Award to Leona Hughes in 2006. Photo by Abby L. Jones, BS ’07

Leona Hughes was committed to instilling in students a desire to lead, not only as students, but also later in their careers.

Hughes, BSED ’30, established the Leona Hughes Phi Mu Memorial Scholarship Fund 50 years ago to support graduate students from the Greek community and students involved in student affairs who show an interest in leading and who demonstrate achievement and academic merit.

“Leona was incredibly passionate about student leadership and co-curricular involvement,” said Jennifer Bowie, executive director of OHIO’s Advancement Communication and Marketing. “Supporting the foundation of the student experience both in and out of the classroom was the inspiration for her long-term efforts in supporting the University and its students.”

Emily Kunkle is the current Leona Hughes Scholarship recipient. Kunkle, a first-year graduate student studying higher education and student affairs, is the Women’s Panhellenic Association Advisor and works with 10 Panhellenic chapters on OHIO’s Athens campus.

Kunkle is preparing for a career in university sorority and fraternity life administration. Like Hughes, Kunkle is passionate about enhancing the university student’s experience.

“The scholarship is a tribute to the sorority and fraternity affiliation that I take pride in,” said Kunkle, herself a Gamma Phi Beta member. “It made the lifelong membership aspect [of belonging to a sorority] come to life. I’m grateful that Leona gave students and members of Greek life, like myself, an opportunity to carry on this message even 50 years later.”

Hughes served for 15 years on Ohio University’s Alumni Association Board and was a member of The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees for nine years. In 1996, Hughes earned the John C. Baker Award, The Ohio University Foundation’s highest honor for outstanding philanthropic support of the University.