Francis A. Wilcox Fellows

The Francis A. Wilcox Fellowships honors 20 students with a scholarship of $5,000 annually provided by The Francis A. Wilcox Fellowships. The recipients of The Fellowship are undergraduate and graduate students. Students are selected based on their academic scholarly achievement, extra-curricular activities, leadership, community service and volunteer engagement. In addition, Fellows must be registered as full time students in good academic standing.

Francis A. Wilcox

Mr. Francis A. Wilcox was a native of Utica and made the Mohawk Valley his home his entire life. After attending St. Francis De Sales School, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Master of Science Degree from Cornell University.

He served in the United States Army’s Signal Corps in India during World War II. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Meritorious Unit Award, and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, he spent nearly his entire professional career as an Electrical Engineer with the General Electric Corporation, both in Utica and Syracuse.

After his retirement, he was a dedicated volunteer for the Utica Public Library, and the Oneida History Center, where he pursued his passion for Genealogy, helping people from around the United States explore their family roots and heritage.

"We helped create the Wilcox Fellowships because we knew Francis would have wanted to support dedicated students and help them succeed in their educational careers."
The Wilcox Family

Francis believed hard work and education were the keys to a person’s success in life. He regarded education as an investment into one’s future. Francis appreciated learning and researching. He enjoyed going to the science fairs and scholarship award ceremonies at Utica University, where he could meet the students and talk with them directly about their interests and what they were studying.

We helped create the Wilcox Fellowships because we knew Francis would have wanted to support dedicated students and help them succeed in their educational careers.

- Kevin and Sue Keehle ’07, Members of the Francis A. Wilcox Family

A Thank-You Message from the 2024-25 Wilcox Fellows

Wilcox Fellows Spotlight

Meet some current recipients of the Francis A. Wilcox Fellowship award.

Kaw Christ

What is your major?

Dietetics and Nutrition

What do you hope to do after you graduate?

After graduation, I plan to become a clinical registered dietitian and work in the community to help others. I believe in preventative measures and treating diet-related conditions at their root cause to improve people's quality of life and try to make the world a better place.

What do you like best about Utica University?

I like how diverse the university is because it helps everyone feel welcome and included. As a peer tutor, I also like how the university offers resources and support to students, helping them succeed in their academic journey.

Please share a fun fact about yourself!

A fun fact about me is that I'm an artist. I can paint, draw, sew, do photography, and do embroidery work. I've received a silver medal from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for photography.

Skylar Conkling-Polovick

What is your major?

Biology with a minor in Chemistry.

What do you hope to do after you graduate?

I want to continue my education on getting my masters in Biomaterial Engineering.

What do you like best about Utica University?

My favorite part of Utica University is how the professors are here to help students.

Please share a fun fact about yourself!

My heart is flipped.

Cody Hyney

What is your major?

Physical and Health Education.

What do you hope to do after you graduate?

After graduating, my goal is to become a physical education and health teacher while also coaching at the high school or collegiate level.

What do you like best about Utica University?

The friends I have made and how everyone is so upbeat and treats everyone with respect and love. Also, being a part of the football team while pursuing a career in phys ed.

Please share a fun fact about yourself!

I golfed almost every day this summer (sometimes more than 18 holes in a day).

Annabella Jayson

What is your major?

Business Administration.

What do you hope to do after you graduate?

Get a stable career.

What do you like best about Utica University?

The people.

Please share a fun fact about yourself!

I have three animals.

Hannah Loebbaka

What is your major?

Occupational Therapy.

What do you hope to do after you graduate?

Post college I will go into hippo therapy allowing me to do occupational therapy using horses.

What do you like best about Utica University?

The campus is very interactive and engaging.

Please share a fun fact about yourself!

I have ridden and worked with horses for 11 years.

Trent Marinelli

What is your major?

Physical Therapy doctoral program.

What do you hope to do after you graduate?

After college, I want to work as a physical therapist in either sports or pediatrics. I also am interested in working as a travel physical therapist at some point in my career. By doing this, I want to impact people's lives for the better, allowing for them to get back to whatever they love doing.

What do you like best about Utica University?

Competing for Utica University's baseball program has definitely been the highlight of my time at the university. Not only has it allowed me to fulfill my childhood dream of playing a collegiate sport, but it has provided me with memories and connecting that will last a lifetime.

Please share a fun fact about yourself!

I am entering my first year in Utica's DPT program after graduating with my bachelors degree in just 2 years!