The Fund is established to provide a permanent endowment which shall support an annual music grant for the purpose of:
- Promoting the enjoyment of music and the enhancement of music education
- Benefitting the communities and people of the South Cumberland Plateau
- Honoring the memory of Dr. Paul S. McConnell
For 27 years Dr. McConnell taught music and devoted his full professional energies to the enjoyment of music and the enhancement of music education on the South Cumberland Plateau, having been a member of the music faculty and serving as organist and choirmaster at The University of The South in Sewanee prior to his retirement in 1960, at which time he was named Professor Emeritus of Music at the University, which awarded him the doctor of music degree in 1974.