OUZ Student Receives Scholarship

As the cost of higher education continues to rise, more students are turning to scholarships to help pay the bills.

Shannon Francis is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Administration Education at Ohio University Zanesville while teaching at Maysville Elementary School.  On Wednesday she was honored at the Muskingum County Community Foundation as the recipient of the Marlene Jones Scholarship.

"I decided to apply for another scholarship for the financial support to pay for college tuition and books, which can be very expensive," said Francis.

Francis was selected by a committee based on an essay she wrote.  The $1,000 scholarship is named after Marlene Jones, who taught for 33 years at Newton School, Zanesville City Schools and Muskingum Area Technical College, the predecessor of Zane State College.

"It’s a scholarship for people going back for their master’s in the teaching profession," said Jones.  "When I went back, it wasn’t available, so I just thought I would make it available for students, and I thought I would give back while I’m still alive."

Marlene and her husband intend on donating their estate to the community.