B. Vick, J. Parks, and M. McCarthy Endowed Scholarship

Musician and UNA alumnus Brian E. Vick, a native of Red Bay, together with his friends John Parks and Michael T. McCarthy, died on August 19, 2001, when their small plane crashed en route from Mississippi to Northwest Alabama Regional Airport. Their deaths were confirmed when searchers located the wreckage on August 22, 2001. One week later, on August 29, 2001, musicians who were friends of Brian’s staged a spontaneous concert in Huntsville to help his family pay for the funeral and other expenses. Fortunately, the family already had adequate resources, so proceeds from the concert were entrusted to Michael and Melanie Vick to use as a memorial to Brian and his friends.

Recipients of the scholarship shall be full-time students who have declared majors in music or nursing and have demonstrated potential for success at the University. First preference shall be given to candidates who are graduates of Florence High School in Florence, AL. Second preference shall be given to candidates who are graduates of Red Bay High School in Red Bay, Alabama.