2024 Bill and Shireen Kirk Scholarship Fund
Scholarships from this fund will be awarded annually to third or fourth year undergraduate, masters, or doctoral students who exhibit need and are interested in pursuing degrees in business, chemistry, civil engineering, construction management, marketing or sales. Preference will be given to students who have a focus on civil infrastructure, particularly in the study of asphalt materials and its use.
ABOUT BILL AND SHIREEN KIRK
Bill and Shireen Kirk endowed the Kirk Scholars Program in 2019, working with the Asphalt Institute Foundation as program administrator. Bill was born and raised in Roanoke, VA, and graduated from Hampden-Sydney College. Upon graduation he worked for Shell, and later became President of Fuel Oil and Equipment Company in 1988. Fuel Oil would later change its name to Associated Asphalt, where Bill served as President and Chief Executive Officer for over thirty years, overseeing its operations and expansion. Shireen Kirk was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in Norfolk, VA. She graduated from the College of William and Mary and George Mason University School of Law. Shireen went on to practice law at various firms and eventually transitioned to General Counsel for Associated Asphalt. Both Bill and Shireen have been involved with numerous boards and non-profits over the years.
The Kirk Scholars Program was created to assist need-based students with higher education costs. The Kirks are grateful for the wonderful professional and personal opportunities they have been afforded. This endowed scholarship fund enables them to assist and enrich the lives of the next generation of business and community leaders.
SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY AND GUIDELINES
Applicants must be classified as juniors or seniors in bachelors degree programs, or will be candidates for degrees in masters or doctorate degree programs, in the academic years for which the scholarship awards are granted.
Applicants must be pursuing their degree in one (or more) of the following areas: business, chemistry, civil engineering, construction management, marketing or sales. Preference will be given to students who have a focus on civil infrastructure, particularly in the study of asphalt materials and its use.
Applicants can be from any U.S. state. Preference may be given to residents of Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia or West Virginia.
Applicants must exhibit a financial need. Applicants should include a financial need assessment for the upcoming school year.
Recipients must be a full-time student each semester, unless an exception is requested in writing and approved. Withdrawal from school, except for serious illness or injury, shall result in the recipient losing the scholarship.
Recipients will be required to furnish a transcript and status report at the end of each semester before additional monies are awarded.
Scholarship monies will be payable directly to the recipients chosen college or university. Monies will be applied to qualified education expenses including: tuition, books, and course-related fees. Scholarship funds are not available for housing/utility expense (room & board), food/dining plans, or personal expenses such as vehicle loans, medical expenses, etc.
The Kirk Scholars Program Review Panel will make the final determination on all cases concerning the interpretation of the eligibility, guidelines and rules of the scholarship fund.
All application and support material must be submitted no later than March 1, 2024.
More details at: https://www.asphaltfoundation.org/kirk-scholarship-program-nomination-form/