Phillip C. Watkins Honors Wife, Elizabeth, with Scholarship

Phillip C. Watkins, of Birmingham, has established The Elizabeth Dean Watkins-Blount Undergraduate Initiative Endowed Scholarship in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is creating the scholarship in memory of his late wife, Elizabeth Dean Watkins.

Phillip Watkins received his bachelor of science degree from the College in 1963 and his doctor of medicine from The University of Alabama Medical School in 1966. He is a cardiologist in private practice in Birmingham.  He is also a member of the President’s Cabinet at UA.

Elizabeth Dean Watkins received her bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Auburn University in 1963. She lived in Birmingham for the majority of her life and was a dedicated member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, as well as an avid gardener. She died on October 26, 2005.

In 1999, Watkins honored his wife with a gift to the Blount Initiative to name the Elizabeth Dean Watkins room in Oliver-Barnard Hall, one of two academic houses in the Initiative.  Known as “Lizzie’s Lounge,” the room is a popular place where Blount students study.  Recently, the Watkins family unveiled a portrait of Elizabeth Watkins that now hangs in the room.  The unveiling enabled the family and close friends, some of whom had never been there before, to see the dedicated lounge and portrait and for Dr. Watkins to announce the scholarship in memory of his wife.