TN Scholarship Recipient Madison Adams

May 14, 2025

By Cindy Baugher

Madison Adams, a fourth-year student at Austin Peay University, is eager to graduate from college and make a difference as a teacher, hopefully at the very same elementary school she attended as a child. She is the daughter of Brandon and Tina Adams. Her father is a patrol sergeant and training officer with the Union City, Tennessee police department and her mother works with Segal, a human resources consulting firm.

TN PBF scholarship recipient, Madison Adams receiving her check. L to R, Madison’s parents, Brandon and Tina Adams, Madison Adams and TN Division Sr. Vice-President, Brian Harbaugh.

Madison’s father Brandon is a 27-year law enforcement veteran. He is an active member of the PBA, serving as president of the Davy Crockett chapter. His membership meant Madison was eligible to apply for a Tennessee Division scholarship award. He is understandably pleased with her receiving this scholarship, as well as all of her accomplishments. He said, “We are beyond proud of the lady Madison has grown into while in college. She has kept her grades up while being an executive officer of her sorority for the whole four years of college. She had her sights set on becoming a teacher and has stuck to that. She will be a third-generation teacher in our family when she graduates in May.”

Madison and her mom have a close relationship as well. Her dad gives Madison’s mom all the credit for making sure she was where she needed to be in her younger years when Madison was so involved in so many different pursuits. Whenever her mom and Madison part ways, her mom always tells her to “remember JOY - Jesus, Others, You.” This mindset has seemingly helped to guide Madison in her volunteerism.

Madison and her mother Tina in New York City. Madison loves to travel. She has been in at least 9 countries on cruise ships.

As in her high school years, Madison has been busy during her college career with extracurricular and volunteer work. One example is the Pack the Police Car donation initiative that she’s participated in for the past seven years. Executive council positions in her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, have also kept her busy and helped her gain valuable leadership skills that she’ll be able to build upon in her career. She was vice president of philanthropy during her freshman year at APSU and vice president of academic excellence during her sophomore and junior years. These roles have helped highlight her abilities with fundraising, organization, and compassionate assistance for those with academic struggles.

Given that she’s chosen elementary education as her major and career, it’s no surprise that she shines in her role as VP of academic excellence for her sorority. She admits that she has teaching “in her blood” with two grandparents who were teachers as well as an aunt.

Madison with her Grandparents. As retired teachers with 70 plus years between them, they have been an integral part of her life.

All those teachers are role models for Madison, but she feels a special kinship with her grandfather, who was a band director and guidance counselor, especially in light of how he’s had to cope with losing his eyesight in the past year. She said, “Watching him push through this new obstacle has been very inspiring because he has not allowed it to stop him. He still sings at church and teaches Sunday school lessons.” Madison calls him the greatest influence in her life.

Austin Peay State University is about two hours away from Madison’s hometown, a distance which seems ideal for her college life as it’s “close enough, but far enough away, too.” As an elementary education major, she also appreciates that APSU originated as a normal school, which was an institution whose mission was to train teachers. Madison’s dad points out that were it not for Madison’s hard work at her part time job, and by earning scholarships such as this one, she would not be able to graduate from APSU debt-free.

Madison and her dad, Brandon, collecting toys and canned goods for Pack the Patrol Car.

Adams said, “During school breaks Madison has worked full time at Wal-Mart and has been able to save for her education. With the help of the PBF scholarship and the State Lottery scholarships she will be able to graduate debt free. This has all been done by dedication and working hard, not having any ‘loan forgiveness’”.