The first Stimpson Brothers Leadership Scholarship, totaling $5,000, was awarded to John Benton of Deer Park, Ala., a University of South Alabama Mitchell College of Business Real Estate major with a 3.96 grade point average. Benton works in the USA Center for Real Estate Studies, is involved in the ROTC program, and demonstrates strong leadership skills. He also received a $2,000 Turner-Heggeman Memorial Scholarship, which is given to an outstanding real estate major. The Stimpson family recently met and presented the award to Benton at a special luncheon.

In 2009, a group of donors raised money to honor William H. “Billy” Stimpson and his late brothers, Benjamin “Ben” and Gordon “Dut,” through the creation of the Stimpson Brothers Leadership Scholarship in Business at the Mitchell College of Business. To date, more than 50 donors have contributed to this prestigious endowed scholarship, which honors the brothers who owned Gulf Lumber Co.

The scholarship effort was spearheaded by Earle Long III, a longtime friend of the Stimpson family. Long, a local businessman, said he grew up in the hunting club started in the 1920s by the Stimpsons’ father, Fred Stimpson, and Fred Stimpson’s business partner, Jim Radcliff. Long’s grandfather, Earle Long Sr., and his father, Earle Long Jr., belonged to the club. Long and two of his sons are still active in the club, marking four generations of connection with the Stimpsons.

The Stimpson Brothers scholarship is a tuition and fees scholarship and is awarded to a sophomore student who is an Alabamian. The student is a full-time business major, with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above, who has demonstrated a strong leadership ethic. Service in the University’s ROTC program may be considered. The scholarship may be renewed in the student’s junior and senior years; however, the same selection process will be used.