Officer works to establish scholarship fund

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Leo Brown
  • 442nd Fighter Wing public affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  You can’t turn back the clock. Second Lieutenant Terrell Eikner, however, is hoping to do just that by repeating with the 442nd Fighter Wing what he accomplished with the 917th Fighter Wing at Barksdale AFB, La., in 2002. 

Lieutenant Eikner, 442nd Maintenance Squadron, is working to establish an annual $500 scholarship to assist enlisted wing members and the spouses and children of officers and enlisted Airmen in educational endeavors. 

“I helped create a scholarship at Barksdale in 2002 and it's still going,” Lieutenant Eikner said. “I want to get that process started here. Hopefully, it’ll grow and mature into several scholarships, but you have to start small.” 

Lieutenant Eikner said he approached the Reserve Officer Association (ROA) and the Reserve Enlisted Association (REA) in January. Both groups supported the idea and Eikner began writing the scholarship and creating its requirements. 

“The scholarship is designed to help someone get an initial undergraduate degree or a technical certificate,” he said. “I saw the need was there and it had never been done before and I thought it would be good for ROA and REA. Both organizations care about fighter wing members, so it’s a win-win situation for ROA, REA and the scholarship winner.” 

Applicants are required to write a 250- to 300-word essay on “An Awakening – Terrorism At Home! How Has It Affected You?” Lieutenant Eikner said the essays will be evaluated by a five-member committee made up of ROA and REA members. 

The ROA and REA plans to award a scholarship this year. Lieutenant Eikner said timelines and other information would hopefully be available by early April on the wing’s homepage at www.442fw.afrc.af.mil.