Lawrence Kelley Security Studies Scholarship

The Lawrence Kelley Security Studies Scholarship was established by John L. Watkins II of Conroe, Texas. John L. Watkins II was born in Longview, Texas, on March 30, 1993, to Norma Kelley and John Lawrence Watkins. He attended Kennedale High School where he was involved in student council, theatre, football, and track, graduating in 2011. He went to state for the 4×2 relay and obtained a track scholarship to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Mr. Watkins later transferred to SHSU in 2013 and graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in December 2015. In Fall of 2016 he entered SHSU graduate school earning his Master of Science in Homeland Security. In November 2018, Mr. Watkins started his career with Custom and Border Protection at the busiest land border in the world, San Ysidro Port of Entry. Currently John is a federal officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He seeks to make select students’ educational goals more obtainable by easing their financial burdens.