Local college-bound students receive $500 grants from the Rev. Lawrence Milliken scholarship program

Pictured in front of Whitehaven Welcome Center in Paducah, KY are the 2021 Rev. Lawrence Milliken scholarship winners and representatives of the Upsilon Iota Iota Fraternity.  From left to right is Anniyah Shelley, Trinity Patterson, Sycilia Titsworh, co-chair of the scholarship Ms. Millette Milliken, Chair Omega brother Terrance Adams, Omega Social Action Chair brother Ronald Clemons, and Omega Basileus brother Kenneth B. Hurt, Sr. 

Recently, the Upsilon Iota Iota Fraternity's Rev. Lawrence Milliken Scholarship winners were announced for 2021. The scholarship, named in honor of the late Rev. Lawrence B. Milliken of Paducah, had its first recipient in 2019. The  recipient, Rachel Kelley, received a $100 college supply scholarship. This year's winners each received a $500 grant. 

To be eligible for the scholarship, students had to write a 500 word essay on the importance of service and community, carry a 2.5 GPA, have plans to attend college, and be a resident of McCracken County. 

This year's winners included Anniyah Shelley, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Annissa and Miles Shelley. Shelley graduated from Paducah Tilghman High School this year with a 3.60 GPA with plans to attend WKCTC in the fall.  

Trinity Patterson is the daughter of Ms. Je'Na Patterson and Mr. Tony Cole. She graduated from PTHS with a 3.321 GPA and will attend WKU in Bowling Green. 

Sycilia Titsworh is the daughter of Ms. Rochell Cotton, wife of Mr. Gregory Titsworh. Titsworh will return to WKU in Bowling Green this fall as a senior with an overall GPA of 3.01. This summer, she worked as an E911 Operator in Paducah. 

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The scholarship was named in honor of the late Rev. Milliken B. Lawrence who served our country. community, and students. As a member of the local chapter Upsilon Iota Iota of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Milliken was a man worthy of celebration.

Rev. Milliken matriculated from Kentucky State College in Frankfort in 1954 with a bachelor's degree in heath and physical education. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. After receiving an honorable discharge, Milliken went back to school earning a master's degree in guidance in 1972, followed by another master's degree in vocational technical education from Murray State University in 1977. While at MSU, he completed a course in industrial supervision and received Certification for Administrative, Supervision and Coordination of Vocational Education and a Rank I Certification.

Milliken formerly taught for the Graves County Board of Education, Murray City Board of Education and the Paducah City Board of Education. His counseling career began as a part-time Juvenile Counselor at the McCracken County Juvenile Court in 1967. He went on to hold several positions at West Kentucky State Vocational-Technical School until his retirement in 1989.

Milliken served as pastor at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, McKenzie, TN, Second Christian Church, Mayfield, KY, Mt. Moriah M.B. Church, Paducah, KY, and Unity Missionary Baptist Church, Brookport, IL.  He was a member of the Baptist Ministers and Deacons Alliance, Mayor's Minister's Committee for Social Relations and Executive Director of the Ecumenical Ministry for Unity and Progress.

Formerly, Milliken served as chairman of the Paducah Human Rights Commission. Also, he was a member of Citizens Advisory Community-Paducah Board of Education, the Board of Directors of the Oscar Cross Boys' Club of Paducah and the Advisory Committee at Paducah Community College.

Milliken was appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to a three-year term as a member of the State Advisory Council for Vocational Education. He was past vice president for guidance of the Kentucky Vocational Association and a member of State Student Financial Aid Training Project Steering Committee of Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. He was also a member of the American Vocational Association, West Kentucky Vocational Association, West Kentucky Association for Counseling and Development, and Kentucky Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Rev. Milliken was married to the late Rosetta Dismukes Milliken and the parents of George (deceased), Mark (deceased), Millette and Jonessa Milliken, and five grandchildren.  Rev. Milliken passed away on November 1, 2005.