A perpetual award for communications students at North Louisiana and East Texas colleges — supporting the next generation of creative professionals in honor of Jim Leslie's impact on the local advertising community.
The Jim Leslie Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year, assisting scholars in communications-related curricula at North Louisiana and East Texas colleges and universities.
The scholarship is administered through the institution's financial aid office and applied to tuition and textbooks. This is not a cash scholarship.
Jim Leslie worked for The Shreveport Times and the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce before launching his advertising career. He got his start in advertising working locally on campaigns for United Gas with national agency Bozell & Jacobs. He then opened The Leslie Agency and worked on several political campaigns for Shreveport Commissioner George D'Artois.
In 1976, he worked on a campaign to help pass "Right to Work" legislation in Louisiana. On July 9, 1976, after celebrating the passage of the bill in Baton Rouge, Leslie returned to his room at the Prince Murat Inn on Nicholson Drive and was gunned down by ambush in the Inn's parking lot.
Both the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and The Shreveport Advertising Federation posted reward funds for the arrest and conviction of the killer. Though there were investigations and charges, the killer was never brought to justice.
In January 1978, the reward fund was converted into a perpetual scholarship for local advertising students — in memory of Jim Leslie's impact on the local advertising community. Nearly 50 years later, that scholarship continues to support the next generation of creative professionals in Northwest Louisiana.
All eligibility requirements must be fully met. Failure to fulfill any requirement will result in immediate disqualification.
If your institution or curriculum is not listed and you'd like it considered, email info@aafsb.org
East Texas institutions not listed — email info@aafsb.org to request consideration.
Curriculum not listed? Email info@aafsb.org to submit for consideration.
Total awarded by AAF District 10 annually
Visit District 10 ↗The AAF Tenth District Scholarships are designed to recognize, promote, and encourage academically talented students of advertising-related disciplines, helping them complete their education.
A total of $45,000 in scholarships will be awarded by AAF District 10 annually. Applications are typically due in March each year.
For details, deadlines, and to apply, contact AAFSB or visit the AAF District 10 website directly.
info@aafsb.org ↗Submit your complete application including transcript, letters of recommendation, and optional portfolio by the deadline.