Simmons Foods announced on June 21 that the M.H. “Bill” Simmons Scholarship is awarding $134,000 in scholarships to 72 recipients for the 2019 program year. This year’s awards set a new milestone for the program, which has provided over $1.1 million in financial education assistance since the program’s inception.
The M.H. “Bill” Simmons Memorial Scholarship was established by Mark Simmons in 1979 in the name of his late father and founder of the Simmons organization. The scholarship program was created to honor the organization’s founder and to assist in the educational endeavors of the children of Simmons team members and growers.
During its existence, the program has provided grants to nearly 1,000 graduating seniors to pursue vocational and college degree programs. Each spring, applications are evaluated by the Scholarship Committee based upon academic merit, financial need, and field of study to determine eligibility and potential awards to be granted. Applicants considering a degree in a field of study that aligns with Simmons needs may also find opportunities for internships, summer programs and even a future career with the company.
“Simmons team members are encouraged to be curious and take action, just as my father did in founding and growing our organization. This scholarship program recognizes that high school students pursuing higher education are also demonstrating these values and laying a foundation for future success by being curious about new opportunities and taking action to pursue their education," says Mark Simmons, Board Chairman.
