James McQueen in service uniform

Scholarships Established at CAC in Memory of James Whitson McQueen

By Angela Askey, Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing

The James Whitson McQueen Information Technology Scholarship and The James Whitson McQueen Nursing Scholarship were recently established to provide financial support for current students enrolled at Central Arizona College.

The scholarships, established by his mother Carolyn Whitson, were created in memory of McQueen who worked at CAC from November 2006 to June 2021. McQueen began his journey at the college, working in the warehouse. He held various roles in the Information Technology department and for the last five years of his employment, served as an Enterprise Systems Support Specialist. He continued a very successful career.

McQueen was born in Safford, AZ; graduated high school in Flagstaff, AZ; and served in the United States Air Force at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii. Education was important and valued by Jim. He earned an associate degree from the University of Hawaii and a bachelor’s degree with the University of Maryland. He is remembered for his charismatic smile, entertaining sense of humor, living a clean lifestyle and as a conscientious steward of the planet. Jim loved his life and died with grace and dignity.

The James Whitson McQueen Information Technology Scholarship Fund will provide financial support for students who are enrolled in the CAC Information Technology program while the James Whitson McQueen Nursing Scholarship Fund has been developed to provide financial support for students who are enrolled in the CAC Nursing program.

For both scholarships, students must have a 3.0 grade point average, provide examples of their work ethic, and submit a video that includes information about their passion for their selected field and what their career plans are following graduation. Financial need will be considered using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Beginning in fall 2024, a total of $3,000 will be awarded each academic year, with $1,500 being given out during the fall semester and $1,500 being awarded for the spring semester.

Students interested in applying for either of these scholarships must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if eligible and the online CAC scholarship application at centralaz.edu/scholarships.

Tax-deductible contributions can be made online at centralaz.edu/give to support this and other CAC scholarships.

For additional information please contact  Craig Kurtz, Executive Director Institutional Development at (520) 494-5215 or craig.kurtz@centralaz.edu.

James McQueen young boyJames McQueen high school photo