Dr. Andrew and Mrs. Mildred Robinson: Scholarship Benefits UNF Freshmen
Dr. Andrew Robinson is well known as a pioneer of education in Jacksonville. He was Raines High School's first principal, dean of the UNF College of Education and Human Services twice, the first director of the Florida Institute of Education and interim president at the University of North Florida from 1980 to 1982. His wife, Mildred Cooley Robinson, was also one of Duval County's outstanding educators, retiring after 30 years of dedicated service to the local school system.
Upon Dr. Robinson's death in 1988, Mrs. Robinson established the Andrew A. Robinson Endowed Scholarship to benefit incoming UNF freshmen, particularly inner-city youth. The scholarship was further endowed with a planned gift after Mrs. Robinson's death in 2013 with the proceeds from a life insurance policy.
Education was viewed as "one of the keys to advancement in life and success," said Conchita Robinson, one of Dr. and Mrs. Robinson's daughters and a UNF Foundation board member. "With both parents as educators, there was clear and consistent communication regarding the value of education to my sister, Estella, and me," Robinson shared. "My father said, 'You can't build your chimney from the top. You must have a strong foundation with key components of character and education.' " The Robinson scholarship helped provide that foundation for Kendrick Taylor, '09.
Kendrick was a Robinson Scholar at UNF for eight semesters and graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He is currently working at Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) as a turbine performance engineer in the electric production department. Kendrick shared, "I was raised by a single mother, who also takes care of my grandmother, so removing the financial burden of college was one of the best gifts I received in my life. It allowed me to just focus on the academic aspect of college. It was an honor to be an Andrew Robinson scholar - he had such an impact on educating youth in the Jacksonville area."
