When Dr. John Krohn remembers his daughter, Dr. Lesley Krohn, one word comes to mind.
“She was stubborn,” said John. “When she set her mind on something, she was going to do it.”
The Lesley M. Krohn Memorial Endowed Scholarship has been established through the Arkansas Tech University Foundation by her father. Lesley was the program director for the registered nursing program at ATU-Ozark Campus before passing away on June 15, 2022.
The new scholarship will benefit ATU-Ozark students in the licensed practical nurse to registered nursing (LPN-to-RN) program. Preference will be given to students who are single parents and demonstrate financial need.
“Lesley put so much of her time and energy into that program,” said John. “She completed graduate school as a single parent. I wanted to honor her and help the program.”
The Krohn family story at Arkansas Tech dates back more than three decades.
John grew up in Clarksville. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering degrees from the University of Arkansas. John and his wife, Angela, were married while he was in Fayetteville. They added Lesley to the family when she was born in 1983.
John later received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in nuclear engineering at Texas A&M University. As he began his job search while working on his doctorate, a position came open at Arkansas Tech. The proximity to Clarksville was beneficial to the family, so the Krohns moved back to the Arkansas River Valley and John joined the ATU faculty in 1991.
“I’ve never really looked anywhere else because I’ve always enjoyed it,” said John, who is professor of mechanical engineering at Arkansas Tech and associate dean of the ATU College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Lesley also found a home at ATU. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Arkansas Tech in 2007 and started her career as a nurse at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
It turned out that the daughter was a lot like her father. Lesley wanted to teach. She found that opportunity as an instructor at ATU-Ozark Campus while simultaneously pursuing online graduate study. Lesley earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, both from the University of Missouri.
As Lesley continued on her professional progression, she led the process to earn accreditation for the ATU-Ozark registered nursing program. She was successful in that effort.
“Determination might be a better way to say it than stubborn,” said John. “At least it’s a nicer way. She had four great loves in her life: her son, ATU, St. Louis Cardinals baseball and college football.”
Individuals who wish to contribute to or apply for scholarships through the ATU Foundation may call (479) 968-0400 or send e-mail to foundation@atu.edu.
