Marian J. (Plessy) Wilkin & Robert A. Wilkin Endowed Scholarship

Scholarship Criteria: The annual proceeds from this fund shall be awarded to Music students, based on talent, skill, and contribution to the Music department, who are deemed worthy as determined by the university. Student recipients must be full-time students participating in a Northwestern Music department group, band, or ensemble on campus. Preference is given to students with excellence in performance within the Music department.

Scholarship Story:

Robert and Marian Wilkin’s life was shaped by music at Northwestern – both on campus and beyond. As a student, Robert was an active member of the Jubilaires, a quartet that not only sang daily on KTIS Radio, but also traveled widely to represent Northwestern. Their ministry even took them to Fort Worth, Texas, where they sang at a Billy Graham crusade in front of an audience of 17,500 people. Music was not just an extracurricular activity for Robert; it was a source of joy, fellowship, and lifelong memories.

It was also through music that Robert met Marian. Marian was a Music major, and Robert was a History major, but during an extended choir tour across the country, they spent a month together performing and traveling with their peers. That experience marked the beginning of a relationship that turned into 75 years of marriage. Marian graduated from Northwestern in 1952, and just a year later, Robert joined her as part of the Class of 1953.

Together, Robert and Marian cherished their shared love of music and carried it with them throughout their lives. Although Robert’s career ultimately took him into higher education administration, his heart remained tied to the ways music can transform lives and build community. In establishing this scholarship, Robert wants to honor both Marian’s legacy and their mutual connection to Northwestern’s Music department.

The scholarship supports students who participate in Northwestern’s music ensembles, although the student recipients do not necessarily have to be Music majors. Rather, the scholarship should go to students who bring their talent, skill, and dedication to enrich the department. Excellence in performance is important to Robert, and, in his words, the scholarship is meant to reward students “for their efforts and contributions.”

This scholarship is about celebrating the joy of music and the legacy it continues to create at Northwestern.