Endowed Scholarships & Fellowships
Billy Matthews Scholarship Fund
History
Sara Lewis Matthews created this endowed scholarship in memory of her husband, Donald Ray "Billy" Matthews. Born in Micanopy, Fla., in 1907, Billy Matthews attended public school in Hawthorne, Fla. He graduated from UF in 1929 and taught school in Leesburg, Fla., and Orlando, Fla., from 1929-35. He served as a high school principal in Newberry, Fla., in 1935 and 1936, acting as the assistant state 4-H agent during the summers of 1928-38. He earned a master's degree in education in 1948. Matthews was a member of the Florida House of Representatives in 1935. Afterward, he became a member of the administrative staff of UF from 1936 to 1952. He served in the U. S. Army from 1942-46 and was discharged as a captain in the infantry division.
Matthews was elected as a Democrat to the 83rd Congress and served for six subsequent terms. Following his service as a congressman, he worked as a consultant and administrator for the Rural Community Development Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1967-69.
He became an instructor of political science at Santa Fe Community College from 1969-77 and remained as a resident of Gainesville, Fla., until his death in 1997.
Criteria
Outstanding undergraduate students who are employees of the Reitz Union; must have financial need, at least one credit hour of business ethics and documented community service.
Application Information
Contact the John Wayne Reitz Union Director's Office at (352) 392-1643.
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