A Foundation Built on Scholarship, Leadership, and Service

The Melvin W. Jones Foundation carries forward a legacy of educational opportunity by supporting students through scholarships, mentoring, academic support, and leadership development.

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Mission

Expanding educational opportunity

MWJ Foundation supports students through scholarship assistance, academic guidance, mentoring, and enrichment experiences that help them continue forward with confidence.

Reduce financial barriers for students pursuing education.
Support academic confidence through structured guidance.
Strengthen opportunity through mentoring and enrichment.

Vision

Building confidence, leadership, and purpose

MWJ envisions a future where students have the financial support, guidance, and confidence to pursue education, leadership, service, and opportunity with purpose.

Students are equipped to pursue long-term goals.
Scholarship support is paired with human guidance.
Education becomes a pathway to service and leadership.

Values

Principles that guide the work

The Foundation’s work is rooted in service, opportunity, academic excellence, leadership, community, and responsible stewardship.

Opportunity Service Leadership Stewardship Community Excellence

Carrying Forward the Jones Legacy

The Melvin W. Jones Foundation was established to honor the legacies of Dr. Melvin W. Jones and Dr. M. Colleen Jones through scholarship, service, leadership, and student opportunity.

A legacy rooted in education and service

Founded in 2002 alongside the Melvin W. Jones Learning Community at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the Foundation continues a commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, community service, and educational access.

Dr. Melvin W. Jones helped shape university operations and scholarship opportunity through institutional leadership. Dr. M. Colleen Jones continued that shared mission through service-learning, philanthropy, mentorship, and student-centered leadership.

Dr. Melvin W. Jones Remembered for institutional leadership, scholarship advocacy, operational excellence, and service to the Lincoln community.

Dr. M. Colleen Jones Remembered for service-learning, philanthropy, mentorship, and her leadership as Foundation president.

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Leadership & Governance

MWJ Foundation is guided by leaders committed to educational access, responsible stewardship, program coordination, and long-term student support.

Foundation Board

The Board provides strategic oversight, mission alignment, and stewardship for the Foundation’s scholarship, mentoring, academic support, and student opportunity work.

Kenneth D. Ford President

Dr. Eric Lee Vice President

Benjamin O. Jones Treasurer

Phyllis L. Jones Secretary

Anita Allen Board Member

Darrel Jones Board Member

Louise J. Burks Board Member

Dwight E. Jones Board Member

Richard D. Jones Board Member

Stewardship & Accountability

MWJ Foundation is guided by responsible leadership, clear program priorities, and careful stewardship of the support entrusted to its mission.

How MWJ stays focused

The Foundation keeps its work centered on students, legacy, service, and practical support rather than organizational complexity.

Mission alignment Program decisions stay connected to scholarship, academic support, mentoring, and student opportunity.

Responsible leadership Board oversight helps keep priorities clear, accountable, and aligned with the Foundation’s purpose.

Focused programs MWJ prioritizes support areas that are understandable, manageable, and connected to student outcomes.

Donor trust Support is stewarded with care toward scholarships, academic guidance, mentoring, and enrichment.

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Help Carry the Mission Forward

Your support helps MWJ Foundation continue its legacy of scholarships, mentoring, academic support, leadership development, and student opportunity.

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