Martin, Tenn. – A new scholarship established at the University of Tennessee at Martin will honor the legacy of the late Wendell Alexander, longtime resident and businessman in Obion and Weakley counties.
The Wendell Alexander Scholarship Endowment, established by Wendell’s grandsons, Jake and Alexander Bynum, along with their wives, Alyssa and Kate Bynum, respectively, will be used to reward and support Weakley County high school graduates who study agriculture or agricultural business at UT Martin. Jake Bynum is Weakley Co. Mayor and Alexander Bynum is current owner and operator of Wendell Alexander Realty.
Applicants must demonstrate successful academic performance, and financial need may be considered. The chair of the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources will determine the amount of the award on a year-to-year basis.
UT Martin will also name a laboratory in the new Beef Cattle Teaching and Demonstration Area the “Wendell Alexander Lab” in honor of Wendell’s dedication to local agriculture. The new complex will be located on Gardner-Hynds Road on the north side of the UT Martin main campus.
Wendell was born in 1935 on his family farm in Rives and graduated from Rives High School. He then enlisted in the Army and completed a tour of duty in Germany before returning to Tennessee and enrolling at John A. Gupton College in Nashville. Wendell later began a career in the funeral business in Columbia while simultaneously earning his real estate license.
He returned to the Weakley County area in 1970 to partner in Alexander Auctions and Real Estate and Alexander Insurance in Martin. Wendell was a lifelong learner and always enjoyed working on the cattle farm he shared with his wife, Shirley. He established Wendell Alexander Realty in 1986, and the business is currently owned and operated by his grandson, Alexander Bynum.
Wendell died in 2017 at his Dresden home and is survived by his wife, one daughter, nine grandsons and three great-grandchildren.
For more information on the Wendell Alexander Scholarship Endowment and how to contribute, contact the UT Martin Office of Development at 731-881-7620.
Photo: The late Wendell Alexander (center), longtime local resident and businessman, is pictured with two of his grandsons, Alexander Bynum and Jake Bynum.
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