A new scholarship will debut at Troy University this fall, provided by a gift from Donna and Robert Huffman, an Army Aviation family.

The Donna K. Huffman Perpetual Scholarship for Spouses of Active-Duty Army Aviators honors Donna’s determination as a military spouse who earned her degree over the course of 20 years while working full- or part-time, with several moves along the way.

The scholarship specifically targets the spouses of aviation warrant officers attending Initial Entry Rotary Wing Flight Training at Fort Rucker – the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, the home of Army Aviation.

When Robert Huffman, a retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 who earned his MBA at TROY in 2004, arrived at Ft. Rucker after a posting in Australia, it took Donna nine months to find a job as a dental assistant. 

“Through many of our military moves, it can be hard for a military spouse to get a job on a short posting,” Donna said. “Since families are at Fort Rucker for such a short time while their spouse is in flight school, it’s a great time for them to get their degree or start on their degree.”

That’s precisely what Donna did. A now mostly retired expanded function dental assistant, she decided to tackle some courses at TROY toward the degree she would eventually earn from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN, where the couple l lives today.

Robert, retired from the United States Army after a 30-year career, is active in community affairs and served as a Rotary International District Governor for middle and west Tennessee in 2019- 2020. He is best known for his work over 15 years with the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program and Global Grant Scholars. 

The Huffmans say establishing the scholarship was an easy decision. The scholarship will provide the financial assistance to Army Aviation spouses they need to begin – or complete—their education. Education will produce successful careers, and, in turn, they hope it will inspire others to give back to their communities. To qualify for this scholarship, students must enroll full-time and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. The scholarship is non-renewable, allowing the endowment to support more students over time. 

“I want the spouse and active-duty soldier to understand that there’s help out there. When a spouse leaves a job due to a new posting, that loss of income can leave a void in the household budget that they may depend on for bills or even a vacation,” Donna said. “I want the spouse to know if he/she chooses not to work during his/her time at Ft. Rucker, this is an excellent opportunity to experience a great university, TROY.”

“Don’t give up. Even if it takes you 20 years to finish … always finish what you start and don’t let a move stop you,” she added.

TROY has a relationship of military education reaching back into the 1950’s, so supporting the needs of America’s fighting men and women and their families is part of the Trojan ethos.

The Huffmans believe a key to success for military spouses is found in the personal service and attention students receive at TROY.

“My experience as a student was quite wonderful, to be honest,” Donna said. “The personal attention that everyone got – it was carried through to all the students – was a commitment by the faculty to see students succeed.”

To apply for the scholarship, contact Admissions at 1-800-414-5756, or visit troy.edu/admissions for more information.

“We know there are several retired Aviators who can match this scholarship, and we hope they will,” Robert said.