Annual Report - 2002
Component Funds - Scholarship Funds
Scholarship Funds are established by donors to provide students with opportunities to further their education or training. Donors may identify criteria for awards including considerations of need, area of study, grade point average, or extracurricular activities.
Tyler Berry Memorial Soccer Scholarship Fund – This fund was created by family and friends of Tyler Berry. In cooperation with the Midland High Soccer Booster Club, scholarship awards are made each spring to a male and female Midland High School soccer player.
Candy Sue Bowers Memorial Scholarship Fund – This scholarship fund was created in memory of former Midlander Candy Sue Bowers by her mother, Geraldine Longbotham Bowers.
Permian Playhouse is the oldest arts organization in Odessa having produced live theatre for the community since 1939. In addition to entertaining performances throughout the year, the Playhouse offers youth programs such as summer drama camp. The Foundation displayed its support of this valued Odessa asset during 2002 by providing a grant for a new outdoor marquee. We are also pleased to administer the Permian Playhouse of Odessa Permanent Fund, which is one of seven partner organizations forming the Odessa Endowment for the Arts & History.
Linda Ann Bowers Scholarship Fund – This scholarship fund was created in honor of Linda Ann Bowers by her mother, Geraldine Longbotham Bowers.
Bulldog Excel Scholarship Fund – Established by former Midland High School, Notre Dame, and Washington Redskins football player Wally Kleine, scholarships from this fund are awarded to Midland High School scholar/athletes based upon athletic ability, dedication, and leadership.
Judge Lucius Bunton Memorial Law Scholarship Fund – This fund was established with donations from friends and family of Senior U.S. District Judge Lucius Bunton, who served as a federal judge from 1979 until his death in early 2001. It provides for scholarships to selected West Texas students who are accepted to law school.
Della and Tom Campbell Family Scholarship Fund – This fund was created by Della Campbell whose husband, Tom, died in 1976. It provides college scholarships for students pursuing nursing and healthcare careers.
Patricia Cobb Memorial Scholarship Fund – This fund was created by the family and friends of Patricia Cobb, who was a schoolteacher and guidance counselor in the Midland Independent School District for thirty years until her retirement. This fund makes available college scholarships for graduates of Midland High School who were active in athletics.
Charliene Giddeon Cox Memorial Scholarship Fund – This fund was established by William A. Cox of Midland in memory of his wife and her love for education. The fund provides scholarships for graduates of Mrs. Cox’s alma mater, Drumright High School in Drumright, Oklahoma who have interests in English, literature or science.
Shelly Eudaly Crawford Memorial Piano Scholarship Fund – This fund was created by family and friends of Shelley Eudaly Crawford. Mrs. Crawford taught piano lessons privately in Midland for 34 years. This fund will provide scholarships for promising piano students.
Katherine Rose Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund – This fund was created in memory of the brief but inspiring life of Katherine Rose Davis. Her ten-day struggle against infection at birth gave motivation to the establishment of this scholarship fund for female graduates of high schools in Midland or Ector Counties, Texas, or Cheatham County, Tennessee, who wish to pursue a degree in medicine or health care.
Dawson Geophysical Scholarship Fund – This fund was established on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Dawson Geophysical Company in honor of the company and its founder, L. Decker Dawson by his friends. The fund provides college scholarships for students of geophysics.
Jim and Reba Weatherbee Fox Scholaship Fund* - This fund was created by James and Reba Fox to provide college scholarship support to students from Young County and the Permian Basin region of Texas.
Amy Gardner Memorial “Louis Armstrong” Scholarship Fund* - This fund was established by the family of Amy Gardner who died in a tragic accident in 2002. The fund provides scholarships for Andrews High band students to pursue higher education.
Marie Hall Scholarship Fund – This fund was created by Big Spring resident Marie Hall to provide scholarships to residents of West Texas who attend selected area colleges. Scholarships are awarded in varying amounts dependent upon need and circumstances.
Dick Harris Scholarship Fund* - This fund was created by Charles R. “Dick” Harris to provide college scholarships to Hispanic youth attending Midland College.
Elizabeth Henry Memorial Scholarship Fund – This fund was established by the family and friends of Elizabeth Henry for scholarship aid to graduates of Lee High School.
Daniel Parker Herd Memorial Scholarship Fund – Created by family and friends in Daniel’s memory, this fund provides scholarships to Midland County High School students pursuing an agriculture degree.
L. Decker Dawson formed Dawson Geophysical Company in Midland in 1952. Despite five decades of changes in the oil and gas industry and numerous economic downturns, Dawson continues to maintain its corporate identity and integrity in the industry. In honor of the company’s founder, Decker Dawson, and the officers and employees who have made the company successful, the Dawson Geophysical Scholarship Fund was established in 2002 by friends of Mr. Dawson. Rodney M. Robinson, who owned a competing seismic company until the mid-1980’s, and is a member of the Foundation’s Board of Governors, gave the initial gift to the Fund. “I think the best compliments about a business are bestowed by its competitors,” observed Robinson, “Decker Dawson is a legend in the oil and gas industry, and I can truly say that I’ve never known a finer group of people than those at Dawson. Their leaders are role models for future generations of geoscientists.”
Novice Kniffen Scholarship Fund – This fund was created by friends of Novice Kniffen, who coached the Andrews High School tennis team for 22 years. This fund will provide scholarships for tennis players from Andrews High School.
Lamesa Golden Tornado Jubilee Scholarship Fund – This fund was created through contributions given during Lamesa’s Golden Tornado Jubilee, a reunion that occurs every five years for all classes of Lamesa High School. Scholarships are awarded to graduates of Lamesa High School.
Jimmie & Dorothy Mashburn Scholarship Fund – This fund was created by Jimmie and Dorothy Mashburn to provide scholarships for Stanton High School graduates.
Midland Reunion 2000 Scholarship Fund – This fund was created by graduates of Midland High School to provide college scholarships for students graduating from a Midland Independent School District high school.
Bill Mims Memorial Scholarship Fund – This fund was established in memory of Bill Mims and benefits graduates of Midland County high schools. Mr. Mims was a Midland High School graduate who was left a paraplegic from a football injury in the 1950’s. Despite his disability, he lived a life of service to his community until his death.
Donnie Munsell Memorial Scholarship Fund – This fund was established by family and friends of Donnie Munsell, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1981 at the age of 18. It provides financial scholarships to athletes who have graduated from Andrews High School.
Craig Noland Memorial Track Scholarship Fund – This fund was created by family and friends of Craig Noland, who died in an automobile accident following his graduation in 1997. Scholarships are awarded to graduates of Midland High School who participated in boys’ or girls’ track and were involved in school, church, and the community.
Tommy Norwood Memorial Scholarship Fund – This fund was established by the family of Tommy Norwood, who died in an automobile accident at the age of 22 during his senior year of college. Scholarship selection criteria include financial need and extracurricular activities in school, church, and the community, as well as participation in high school athletics and the pursuit of outdoor activities.
Joe M. Parsley Engineering Scholarship Fund – This fund was created by Joe M. Parsley, a Midland independent oil and gas operator. Income from this fund is disbursed for scholarships to students in the University of Texas at Austin College of Engineering.
Permian Basin Girl Scout Council Gold Scholarship Fund – This Fund was created for students who want to fulfill their dreams of a college education while simultaneously promoting the ideals of Girl Scouts. The scholarships honor the lives of deceased Girl Scout leaders Mary Wynn Hinkle, Janice Eleanor Hill Matthews, and Betty Jo Green Morgan.
Permian Basin Fair & Exposition Scholarship Fund – This fund provides college scholarships for graduates of Permian Basin high schools. It was established to recognize youth participants in the Permian Basin Fair & Exposition, which is held annually in Odessa.
Permian Honor Scholarship Foundation Fund – The purpose of this fund is to provide assistance to qualified students with high academic standing who attend area community colleges or the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
James C. Pitts, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund – This fund was established by the family and friends of James C. Pitts, Jr., a lifelong teacher who devoted his life to helping all children learn. It provides need-based academic scholarships to college-bound African American graduates of Midland public schools.
Blanche Plunkett Scholarship Fund – This fund was established with donations from friends and family of Blanche Plunkett, a retired Midland teacher. The fund provides college scholarships for graduates of Midland high schools.
Curtis Pool Scholarship Fund – This fund was created by Curtis Pool, a graduate of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. It was established for students who need financial assistance and who plan to attend UTPB full time in pursuit of an education that will be used to benefit society in general.
Dan & Billye Saunders Scholarship Fund – This fund was established to honor long-time Martin County Sheriff Dan Saunders and his wife, Billye. This fund offers scholarships to Martin County residents or high school graduates pursuing a career in law enforcement or criminal justice.
Blanche Orand Plunkett began her teaching career near Overton, Texas in 1934, after studying at Commerce College (now called East Texas A&M). She later taught in Kilgore, and moved to Midland in the early 1950’s where her first teaching assignment was at DeZavala Elementary School. In the latter years of her career, Blanche earned a degree in library science from the University of Texas and became DeZavala’s librarian until she retired in 1984. Until recent years, she volunteered at the Carver Center. Blanche continues to live in Midland where she is an active member of First Presbyterian Church. The Blanche Plunkett Scholarship Fund was established by her family and friends to honor her many years as a teacher by providing college scholarships for graduates of Midland high schools. Tracy Pequeño was the first Blanche Plunkett Scholarship recipient.
Brian A. Semple Memorial Scholarship Fund – This fund was established by family and friends of Brian Semple, who died in an automobile accident in 1989. This renewable scholarship provides assistance annually to several area recipients to further their dreams of an education.
Judy Dickson Stilwell Memorial Scholarship Fund – This fund was created by family and friends of Judy Dickson Stilwell, a former schoolteacher at San Andres Elementary in Andrews. This fund provides scholarships for former students of Ms. Stilwell.
West Texas Opportunities Scholarship Fund – This scholarship was created by businessman Mark Nicholas for students who are attending a local college or university.
Philip Wickman Memorial Scholarship Fund - This fund was established in memory of Philip Steven Wickman by his family. It provides financial scholarships for graduates of Midland High School who played varsity football.
Scott B. Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund – This fund was established in memory of Scott Williams by his family and friends. It is for college scholarships for students who are active in Baptist youth programs.
Thelma Windham Scholarship Fund – This fund was established by Thelma Bayless Windham, a long-time resident of McCamey and Upton County. It provides resources for college-bound graduates of Upton County schools.
Jeb Worthy Scholarship Fund – This fund was created by an anonymous donor in memory of Jeb Worthy, a graduate of St. Mary’s School in Big Spring. Scholarships from the fund are awarded to students attending Howard College.
Galberson Zachery Scholarship Fund – This fund was established in memory of Galberson Zachery, Sr., a long-time employee of the Midland Independent School District and groundskeeper of Memorial Stadium. He was an avid supporter of Midland High School athletics. Created by former MHS student and football player Bo Baskin, the annual scholarship award is made to a Midland High School minority scholar/athlete.
*These funds have been established since the publication of the Foundation’s last annual report.
Permian Basin Area Foundation administers a number of other funds the donors to which have requested anonymity.
Funds of the Foundation are open to additional tax-deductible contributions. We also welcome the opportunity to visit with donors about creating new component funds for charitable purposes.
Next: Donors to the Foundation
