APSU supporter Don Jenkins receives Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor’s Award

Clarksville, TN – Don Jenkins, president and CEO of Jenkins & Wynne Ford-Lincoln-Honda, was presented with the Tennessee Board of Regents 2015 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy earlier this month in recognition of his years of service to Austin Peay State University.

“Mr. Jenkins is a true friend and supporter of this University,” John Morgan, TBR Chancellor, said during the annual APSU Foundation Dinner on June 2nd.

“What strikes me most about his generosity is that he didn’t attend Austin Peay. Mr. Jenkins graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, but as a business leader in this community, he sees the value Austin Peay State University brings, and he isn’t shy about championing this institution,” said Morgan.

In 2001, when Jenkins served as the chairman of the APSU Foundation Board of Trustees, he pledged a major financial gift to “go toward the University’s most critical need.” At that time, the Morgan University Center was under construction, and it looked as if the University would not have enough money to complete that project.

Jenkins’ gift allowed APSU to furnish the gallery and reception area in the center, providing APSU students with a place to gather and display their artwork. That area is named in his honor.

Jenkins also established two endowed scholarships at APSU, donated funds to renovate the locker rooms for APSU’s men’s basketball team and helped finance the newly renovated Governors Stadium. The basketball locker room is named in his honor, and a plaza in the new stadium is named in honor of his late son, Blake Jenkins.

His support, however, extends beyond financial contributions to Austin Peay. Jenkins regularly attends APSU athletic events, and he has served as co-chair of the APSU “Changing Minds, Changing Lives” Capital Campaign. Jenkins is a member of the APSU Presidential Circle of Advisors, and he currently serves as president of the Austin Peay Foundation.