Endowed Scholarship Fund

Several new endowed scholarships have been established in recent months that have been matched with funds from a Federal Title III Grant. Donors can take advantage of the opportunity to double their gifts for scholarships or endowments to enhance existing programs at the college. More than $163,000 has been raised to date that has been, or will be, matched. Setting up an endowed scholarship or another type of endowment is very easy. If you have an interest, please contact Terri Morrow, dean of development and college relations, to discuss the possibilities.


The Marvin V. and Anita Belew McCorgary Endowed Scholarship was established in December 2004, and the Menefee Family Endowed Scholarship was established in January 2005. Mark and Deb Paton also added to the Paton Wholesale and Vending Endowed Scholarship. All three scholarship amounts will be matched dollar for dollar by Title III funds at the college.

Marvin and Anita McCorgary’s $10,000 scholarship ($20,000 after Title III funds) begins in spring 2006. It is designated to a graduate of Arkansas City High School. The recipient also must be enrolled full time (12 or more credit hours), be working toward a degree in Industrial Trade and Supervision Management, and must demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to a student planning to transfer from Cowley to Pittsburg State University. Marvin is a 1960 graduate of the college who went on to a lengthy career in the printing industry. Anita is a 1959 graduate of the college. Marvin retired from Taylor Publishing Company as vice president and general manager after 30 years of service to the company. He was responsible for manufacturing facilities in Florida, California, Pennsylvania and Texas. Together, Marvin and Anita own and operate Airport Printing Service, where Anita serves as president and chief executive officer. Anita founded the company in El Paso, Texas, in 1980 and has grown the company into one of the largest commercial printers in the city. They are the parents of Alisa Frederick of Arkansas City and Mike McCorgary of El Paso.





Fred and Margot Menefee have established the Menefee Family Endowed Scholarship in honor of Arthur L. and Vera M. (Rather) Menefee, graduates of Arkansas City High School and Fred’s parents. Arthur graduated in 1927 and Vera in 1929. “Our donation to the scholarship effort was to honor their contributions, for friends, the community and family as true Ark Citizens, and for the future improvement of the same,” Fred said. “Paybacks are win-win, and they are feel-goods for everyone.” The $5,000 scholarship ($10,000 after Title III funds) is designated to an incoming freshman who is enrolled full time (12 or more credit hours). The student must be an American citizen, and preference will be given students with the following majors: Journalism, Communications, Art, Music, Business or Computer Graphic Arts. The scholarship is renewable for the sophomore year, providing the required 2.5 minimum grade-point average is maintained.








The Patons added $8,000 to the Paton Wholesale and Vending Endowed Scholarship ($16,000 after Title III funds). There are no restrictions on the scholarship. “I’m a graduate of Cowley,” Mark said, “and we’ve always been big supporters of Cowley College. We wanted to give something back, and this was probably the best way to do it. The institution is growing, and we wanted to be a part of that and assist students along the way.” Mark Paton is a 1972 graduate of Cowley who went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in 1974. In 1976, Paton purchased Lemert Wholesale and Vending from Ray Potter. Paton is a member of the college’s Board of Trustees.

Spring 2005