Story by Bri Hunter
Contributing writer
A scholarship has been established at Murray State University to honor Preston Cope, a Marshall County High School shooting victim.
Cope was 15 years old when he passed away. He was a baseball player his whole life and earned the nickname “The Glove” from his coach as an infielder, but would later go on to be a developed pitcher. Cope had a passion for U.S. History and was an avid reader as well as a focused student.
Cope is survived by his parents, Brian and Teresa Cope, one brother, Maddox Cope and his grandparents, Larry and Bonny Cope. His death was preceded by his two grandmothers, Jenny Cornwell and Rhonda Peck and uncle, Matthew Peck.
The Preston Cope Memorial Scholarship is to benefit a full-time freshman at the university who has graduated from Marshall County High School with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
The scholarship will be directed towards applicants majoring in history, while pursuing a teaching certification or majoring in education. Applicants must have participated in extracurricular activities and/or sports and community service. Financial need will also be considered.
President Bob Jackson said that this scholarship is to honor those who lost their lives last year to the tragedy.
“Through the Preston Cope Memorial Scholarship, as well as a similar scholarship established last year in the memory of Bailey Holt, the enduring spirit of both individuals who were lost through this senseless tragedy will forever be remembered,” Jackson said.
Brian Cope, father of Preston Cope, said that he is grateful to the University honoring his late son and that it is a blessing to his family.
“We are very grateful to Murray State University in helping us establish this everlasting gift to honor our precious son, Preston Cope,” Cope said.
