Today at 3:10 a.m.
by Byron Tate
Jack Foster died in April, but his family is hoping his legacy continues through a scholarship they have created.
Foster, best known as a community activist in Pine Bluff, was 78 when he died. At the time, he had gone back to college at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff to finish a degree he had started decades earlier. Because of his belief in the power of education, his family created the Fostering Education Foundation, through which The Jack E. Foster, Sr. Scholarship will be funded.
“The Fostering Education Foundation and The Jack E. Foster, Sr. Scholarship were created to honor Jack and provide financial assistance to students at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff,” said Johnnie Foster, Foster’s widow. “This $1,500 scholarship supports students from Pine Bluff and White Hall, Ark., in their academic pursuits.”
The criteria for the scholarship requires that the applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, be natives of Pine Bluff or White Hall and have graduated from either Pine Bluff, Watson Chapel or White Hall high schools.
“My father always emphasized the importance of education as the key that unlocks endless possibilities, empowering individuals to shape their futures and transform the world around them,” said Nikia Elam, Foster’s daughter. “This belief is why our family has chosen to select recipients from the Pine Bluff area, where we hope to inspire and support the next generation of leaders.”
The first recipient of the scholarship has already been named.
“We are thrilled to announce our inaugural 2025 Jack E. Foster Sr. Scholarship recipient,” stated the family through social media. “Jermiyah Purchase has demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, passion and commitment to making a difference in her community. We wish you continued success as embark on this next chapter of your journey — the future is bright, and the best is yet to come.”
Purchase is from Pine Bluff and graduated from Watson Chapel High School with a GPA of 3.7. She is currently a freshman at UAPB studying biology with plans to become a physician’s assistant.
Purchase’s scholarship has been funded by the family, according to Ella Foster, Jack Foster’s daughter, but an endowment has been set up at UAPB and funds are being sought — the goal is $25,000 — to be able to continue offering the scholarship on an annual basis. Interested parties can contribute directly to the fund or do so through the purchase of articles of clothing, from the website fosteringeducation.bigcartel.com, such as caps, sweatshirts and t-shirts.
One t-shirt is emblazoned with a copy of a campaign poster showing Foster’s image and the words “Elect Jack Foster Mayor.” Almost 50 years ago, Foster filed for the mayor’s position in Aurora, Ill., where he worked at a McDonald’s, when another employee bet Foster he didn’t have the nerve to run for the position.
“Jack E. Foster, Sr. was a devoted activist and community leader, renowned for his unwavering commitment to both his community and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff,” the family stated in a news release. “After serving in the Vietnam War, he attended Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal (AM&N) College, now UAPB, where he often said he would ‘bleed black and gold,’ reflecting his deep devotion to the Golden Lions.”
Foster’s advocacy extended to various community organizations and initiatives, such as the Coalition of Shared Progress and the Pine Bluff NAACP Branch, where he received the Game Changer Award in 2023.
“Jack also participated in the historic Million Man March in 1995,” stated the news release. “In 2022, he returned to UAPB to complete his degree in Business Administration. Although he passed away before graduation, his family accepted an honorary degree on his behalf in May 2024. This scholarship continues his legacy of dedication to education, community service, and steadfast support for the Golden Lions.”
For more information on Fostering Education Foundation, contact Virginia Johnson at [email protected].
Privacy Preferences
Copyright © 2024, Pine Bluff Commercial News
All rights reserved.
This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Pine Bluff Commercial News
Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2024, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. All rights reserved.
