MURRAY, Ky. — A $1.3 million gift from the estate of Selman and Katherine Franzman in honor of their daughter, Barbara Sue Franzman Beasley, will create two endowments that benefit students entering Murray State University’s college of education in the fall of 2011. The gift is the largest received to date by Murray State’s college of education. 

The university announced the creation of two scholarship funds from these endowments for incoming 2011 freshmen in the college of education. The Katherine Franzman Scholarship will support scholarships for incoming freshmen who declare a major within the college of education. In addition, the Selman Franzman Scholarship will support the recruitment of freshmen into the college of education who declare elementary education as a major. The beneficiaries of these scholarships will be known as the Franzman Scholars; the scholarships can be renewed if qualifying criteria are met annually.

Beasley graduated from Murray State University with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education in 1960. This training prepared her for a distinguished career in elementary education that spanned 29 years as an educator at Greenwood Elementary School in Louisville, Ky. After an extended illness and upon her death in April, existing trust agreements provided for these endowments to create scholarships for future 

“These endowments provide a permanent legacy for Mr. and Mrs. Franzman to honor Barbara’s memory and her love of teaching and Murray State University,” said Renee Campoy, interim dean of the Murray State University college of education. “The extent of this support indicates that Barbara Beasley remembered  her own experience at Murray State University, realized that we could continue her legacy of excellent teaching, and wanted to provide an education to permit Kentucky students to experience the same fulfilling and distinguished career in education as her own.” teachers attaining their educations at Murray State University.

Dr. Randy Dunn, Murray State University president, said the gift will allow the university to recruit Kentucky students who aspire to become teachers and help them achieve their goals. “There is not a greater calling than that of a classroom teacher,” said Dunn. “We are deeply grateful to the Franzman family for their vision in advancing the future of education in the Commonwealth.” 

Interested students may apply online at www.murraystate.edu/scholarships starting this year winter.