Dr. Frances B. Kinne
Scholarship Fund
In the early 1990s, then-President of Jacksonville University, Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne, understanding the importance music plays in a child’s life, developed a plan to establish a children’s chorus in the Jacksonville community. Working in concert with Dr. Jon O. Carlson and Jim Taylor, the three brought together 16 young singers who gave their first performance in 1995. From that point the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus has continued to grow and is recognized both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Kinne’s mission has always been to bring people together. She is described as a magical woman of grace and class who has a knack for demonstrating her leadership abilities rather than just talking about them. This is evident in her career path which led her from being a music teacher at the age of 18 to the head of the Army Hostesses during World War II, to a member of the faculty at the Department of Fine Arts at JU, to being named the Dean of the College of Fine Arts to the first woman president of Jacksonville University. Additionally, she was the first female member of the Jacksonville Downtown Rotary Club, first woman president of the Rotary Club and first woman member of the River Club.
Her favorite word is “wow” and she has used it several times in recent years each time she sees the JCC perform. “It is gratifying the JCC program covers so much of what is not available to children in the Duval Public Schools. The children who have an opportunity to participate in JCC are very fortunate to have this outstanding musical training available to them. The entire community benefits from your talents and that of the children,” Dr. Kinne said.
The Kinne Scholarship was established by area business leaders and JCC supporters to ensure scholarship funds are available in perpetuity in honor of Dr. Kinne.
