Billy Atkins Family and Legends Bank partner to create scholarship for APSU students

APSU President Alisa White, Billy Atkins and APSU Vice President Ronald Bailey sign paperwork.

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Billy Atkins and Legends Bank recently made a generous gift to the Austin Peay State University Foundation to create the Billy Atkins Family Endowed Scholarship. Atkins will provide additional funding to allow the scholarship to be awarded during the 2019-20 academic year.         

“The Board of Directors at Legends Bank collectively decided to honor Mr. Atkins at his retirement with a scholarship endowment,” Tommy Bates, president and CEO of Legends Bank, said. “We felt it was the best way to recognize Mr. Atkins’ contributions to the bank as a founding organizer and CEO, and to recognize his long term commitment and love for Austin Peay State University.”

To qualify, students must be admitted into the APSU College of Business as rising juniors or seniors, and be enrolled full-time with a major in finance and a 3.0 GPA. This scholarship is renewable for recipients who continue to meet the criteria each year.

Atkins and his family are lifelong residents of Clarksville-Montgomery County. Atkins retired from Legends Bank as chairman in 2019 and currently serves as senior chairman on the board of directors for Legends Bank and Legends Financial Holdings. He spent nearly 60 years in community banking, earning many awards and recognition for his dedication and contributions to the banking industry and to community service.

 The Atkins family

Outside of banking, Atkins is best known for his support of Austin Peay. He served as the past president of the Governors Club and the University’s foundation board. In 2017, Governor Bill Haslam named Atkins to the University’s inaugural board of trustees.

“It is certainly a pleasure for my family to create this endowment for the benefit of business and finance students at Austin Peay,” Atkins said. “We have been supporters of the University for many years, through both athletics and academics. We appreciate the Board of Directors of Legends Bank so much for contributing to this endowment through matching funds. APSU is really important to us and to this community, as it continues to provide a high quality of education to students, which helps them to prepare for their future. We plan to continue to financially support this endowment in future years so that additional students can benefit from the scholarships it will provide.”

Atkins and his wife, Sue, have two daughters, Luann and Julie. His granddaughter, Britney, has continued in his footsteps as a supporter of the University. She is a graduate of Austin Peay’s College of Business and a past president of the Governor’s Club.

Endowments are permanently restricted funds managed by the Austin Peay State University Foundation. The amount of each scholarship award may vary and will be determined based upon the value of the endowment and the foundation spending plan.

To support APSU fundraising initiatives, contact the Office of University Advancement at 931-221-7127.