Anthony “Tony” Gobar of Jackson, a long-time juvenile justice specialist, died of a heart attack at age 53 in the summer of 2004. He was a man who had dedicated himself to making his community a better place, especially when it came to troubled youth who found themselves in the state’s criminal justice system.
A Breaux Bridge, Louisiana native and Southern University graduate, Gobar began working in job training at a community action agency in Louisiana before moving to Jackson and joining the Department of Criminal Justice Planning as a Program Manager. He worked later as a juvenile justice specialist after his division became part of the Department of Public Safety.
Herbert Terry, director of the Justice Programs Division at the Department of Public Safety, said Gobar was “one of the most professional, caring, sincere, unselfish and honest persons that I have ever worked with or known. He worked untiringly to improve the juvenile justice system in Mississippi.”
The National Coalition for Juvenile Justice in Washington, D.C., established an award in his name for individuals working in the juvenile justice field, and he was posthumously honored by the Arkansas Coalition for Juvenile Justice.
“Tony found his greatest joy in the simple things in life,” his wife, Angela, said in a news release. “He served God as a parishioner of Holy Family Catholic Church in Jackson.
Tony was known for and will be remembered for his selfless spirit and willingness to always help another person.”
PURPOSE:
The Anthony “Tony” Gobar Juvenile Justice Scholarship Fund will provide an annual scholarship based on both merit and need for a full-time junior or senior at a public university in Mississippi or at Southern University in Louisiana majoring in criminal justice, political science, social work, pre-law or counseling.
The student must have a stated career interest in juvenile justice or a similar field and have demonstrated a strong commitment to community and public service.
The scholarship is a one-time award up to $2,500 (non-renewable each year). The award may be used for tuition, books and room and board.
The selection committee for the Anthony “Tony” Gobar Scholarship will select finalists who meet the application deadline and stated selection criteria.
APPLICANT ELGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA
Students must be a U.S. citizen with a current grade point average no less than 2.5 on a
4.0 scale. Demonstrated financial need must be provided via the student’s university or college financial aid office.
If a student meets the above stated eligibility criteria, he/she must submit the following:
- The Anthony “Tony” Gobar Scholarship application form including a statement of career interest and a description of community and/or public service
- Three (3) letters of
- Financial aid information verified via the University or College Financial Aid Officer
Applications are due June 30, 2023
Awardees will be notified in writing and may be invited to receive their award during the Annual Mississippi Juvenile Justice Conference.