Photo: Standing above the Sr. Cst. John Atkinson Memorial Tunnel in front of St. Clair College is the Atkinson family: Nicole (daughter); Shelley (wife) holding picture of John and Mitchell (son). Photo by Joe McParland from the May 2017 issue of Biz X magazine.

WFCU CREDIT UNION ANNOUNCES THE JOHN ATKINSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

This week, Windsor Police Service celebrates 150 years of service in our community, honouring the many officers who serve this city and have dedicated their lives to keeping us safe. We also remember Senior Constable John Atkinson who, 11 years ago at the age of 37, was taken from his family and community far too soon.

Today, on behalf of WFCU Credit Union, President, Eddie Francis announced the establishment of the WFCU Credit Union John Atkinson Memorial Scholarship. In celebrating the Windsor Police 150^th Anniversary and Senior Constable John Atkinson, WFCU Credit Union commemorates by establishing this new scholarship in memory of John Atkinson, a graduate of the Law and Security Administration program at St. Clair College.

This scholarship will be awarded to one male student and one female student enrolled in the Protection, Security and Investigation, or Police Foundations programs at St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology.  Each scholarship will have a value of $2,500.  A total of $5,000 will be awarded each year.  St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology Awards Office will oversee the application process.

Applicants will be required to meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for the WFCU Credit Union John Atkinson Memorial Scholarship:

• Must be in the second or final year of their program
• Must have a Grade Point Average of at least 2.0
• Must be enrolled in either the Police Foundations, or Protection, Security and Investigation programs
• Must have references from a community organization from which the applicant has been a committed volunteer

These programs appeal to students who are community minded, self-disciplined, and have a high moral character. Windsor Police Services Chief Al Frederick spoke highly of Senior Constable Atkinson recently in the Windsor Star, noting “Atkinson is remembered as an extraordinary member of the police service. He was recognized by his peers, throughout his career, as being a go-to person.”  The WFCU Credit Union John Atkinson Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually on May 5^th to honour the dedication in which Senior Constable Atkinson had to his community, and the bravery he carried forward in his career as a Windsor Police Officer.

“This new scholarship will allow John Atkinson’s legacy to live on as we invest in students studying in Police, Security and Investigation programs, programs that are vital to the protection of our community,” stated WFCU Credit Union President Eddie Francis. WFCU Credit Union has awarded over $225,000.00 in scholarships to youth in Windsor-Essex over the past fourteen years.

“From the entire Atkinson family we would like to thank WFCU Credit Union from the bottom of our hearts for sponsoring this scholarship in John’s name. What a great way to honour John and keep his memory and legacy alive,” expressed Shelley Atkinson, widow of Constable Atkinson. “I will look forward to presenting these scholarships to the students each May 5^th.”

The Windsor Police motto is ‘Honour in Service’.  Today, with the establishment of this yearly scholarship, WFCU Credit Union is proud to Honour Senior Constable John Atkinson for his service and also to commemorate the Windsor Police Service 150^th Anniversary and the 50^th Anniversary of St. Clair College.