Tommy Vaughan Establishes Endowed Business Scholarship

JONESBORO – Tommy Vaughan, a graduate of Arkansas State University who came to school on a track and field scholarship, has established a scholarship in the Neil Griffin College of Business. The scholarship is called the Tommy Vaughan Class of 1973 endowed scholarship.

“I feel fortunate and blessed to have the opportunity to give back to A-State a small portion of what A-State has given me,” said Vaughan. “Hopefully, this financial aid will provide an opportunity for someone else to be successful in life and continue this legacy.”   

Criteria to receive the scholarship include having a major in business, must be a full-time student on the junior or senior level, must have an overall grade point average of 2.75 or better, and must be an out-of-state student. Once endowed, students will apply for the scholarship through the Griffin College. 

Vaughan, originally from Atlanta, earned a bachelor of science degree in business in 1973. He returned to his home state and founded Elite Bridal Events LLC, that grew to become the largest producer of bridal shows in the southeast U.S. He sold the company a year ago. He now lives in Braselton, Ga.

While at A-State, Vaughan was a middle-distance runner in track and field under head coach Thad Talley. In 2011, in honor of his track coach at A-State, Vaughan and others spearheaded efforts at a track and field alumni reunion to create the Coach Thad Talley Track Fund. The fund is used as a discretionary account fund for the track and field program.

“I met Coach Talley on a recruiting trip,” concluded Vaughan. “After visiting Jonesboro, I decided to come to Arkansas State. I really liked the people, campus, and town, and truly enjoyed my college days at A-State. The professors were excellent, but the friendliness of the people was unsurpassed. "