Giving
Scholarships
The Gift of a Lifetime
For many Academy students, the importance of financial aid cannot be overstated. By providing deserving students with the funds they need to attend the Academy, our donors are sharing the gift of a lifetime. It is a gift that opens the doors to academic and spiritual discovery, to deepened knowledge and self-esteem, to greater dreams and the courage to follow them, and to a treasure of memories that will last forever.
Endowed Scholarships or an annual commitment to financial aid support continue to be some of the most significant ways to influence the lives of students attending Texas private high school & college preparatory schools. By establishing an Endowed Scholarship at the Academy, a donor can provide ongoing benefits for the student receiving the financial assistance while keeping the core endowment principal intact to fund future years of assistance. An Endowed Scholarship truly is a gift that can touch a student’s life today, tomorrow, and in years to come.
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How to Establish an Endowed Scholarship
Many donors choose to memorialize or pay tribute to a friend or loved one through the establishment of an Endowed Scholarship. At San Marcos Academy a scholarship fund is considered to be fully endowed when it reaches $25,000. It is at this point that the fund can begin to provide assistance to a student attending private high school & college preparatory schools in Texas, like SMA, from the interest generated. You may fund an endowment with the Academy through a one-time gift of $25,000 or over a period of 2 years with an initial gift of $5,000, with the understanding that it will not become a named endowment until the balance reaches $25,000.
Endowed funds may be funded with a tax-deductible, charitable contribution of cash or securities made to prep schools in Tx. Many companies offer matching gift programs to encourage their employees to make charitable contributions to prep schools in Tx. Matching gifts are a great vehicle for donors to maximize the impact of their gifts to Endowed Scholarship funds. Corporate matching programs will vary, so if you are interested in the availability of this program, you should check directly with your employer. For each Endowed Scholarship fund, the Academy will preserve the fund as a permanent fund; invest and manage the fund; and use the distributed earnings as designated by the gift agreement and based on the Academy’s endowment earnings distribution policy. Donors will also receive a personal letter and photo from the recipient of their endowed earnings and are encouraged to visit the Academy to meet the student personally. -
The Impact of Your Gift
At San Marcos Academy, we want every young person who is seeking a Christian, college preparatory education from SMA to have the opportunity to attend our school. A first-class, private education, however, comes at a cost. An Endowed Scholarship Fund of $25,000 will generate anywhere from $750 to $1000 in assistance for a deserving student. The more the balance of an endowed fund grows, the more it will generate for students attending private high school & college preparatory schools in Texas such as San Marcos Academy. At the $200,000 level, an Endowed Scholarship Fund will produce enough interest to assist several students who desire to attend the Academy.
The more our Endowed Scholarship Funds increase, the more students we are able to help. We never want to turn down a young person whose dream is to attend San Marcos Academy, and with endowed scholarship and/or annual financial aid gifts from generous donors like you, we will never have to.
Making A Difference In The Lives Of Students Through Endowed Scholarships
If you wish to establish an Endowed Scholarship Fund at San Marcos Academy, or if you would like to contribute to the Annual Financial Aid Fund, please contact Eric Casillas at the Academy's Office of Development at 512-753-8001 or by email at [email protected].
Scholarships
Browse our scholarships listed in alphabetical order below.
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Alumni Association Scholarship for Excellence in Academic Leadership – An endowed scholarship given in honor of Jeannette Tippit Caldwell, Class of ’25, by her son, Clifton Caldwell, Class of ’50, friends and alumni. Preference will be given to a child or grandchild of an Academy alumnus, based on excellence in academics, character and leadership.Allbright Family Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship made possible by a family dedicated to the Academy, and a family who have left a legacy. The first student, William Ireland Allbright, class of 1925, Jack Gahnal Allbright, a student in 1927, Bruce Powers Allbright, a student in 1930, John Ireland Allbright class of 1955, David Allbright class of 1987, and Daniel Allbright class of 1990. -
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Belcher Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Mr. Billy C. Belcher, Class of 1973.
Brittian Dudley Bell, Jr., Memorial Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given in memory of Brittian Dudley Bell, Jr., a 1939 graduate of the Academy, by his wife, Jerry D. Bell, also an Academy graduate in 1937, and their son Brittian Dudley Bell III.Bobbie Massey Byrom Endowed Scholarship – The Bobbie Massey Byrom Endowed Scholarship was given in honor of Mrs. Byrom by her husband and children in appreciation for her distinguished service as the Academy’s First Lady from October 1965 to May 1996.Jack E. Byrom Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by the family and friends of Jack E. Byrom, Academy President 1965-1996.
The Mary Elizabeth Byrom Memorial Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Dr. and Mrs. Jack E. Byrom, other members of her family, and friends in memory of Dr. Byrom’s mother, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Byrom. -
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Cavness Memorial Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by family and friends of Dr. Raymond M. Cavness, president of San Marcos Baptist Academy, 1931- 1943.
Cessna Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Gerald and Elizabeth Cessna. Mr. Cessna was the Director of Admissions at the Academy from 1972-1997.
Ernest E. and Sally J. Cummings Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given in faith by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Cummings of San Marcos.
Ernest and Sally Cummings Endowment for Learning Skills – This endowed fund is used for the development and general support of the Academy’s Learning Skills Program.
Ora and J.D. Cummings Memorial Endowment Fund – An endowed fund given by Ernest and Sally Cummings and family in memory of the parents of Ernest Cummings.
The Robert Lawrence Chandler Memorial Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Chandler, in memory of their son, a member of the class of 1980. -
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Lorraine and Jesse Allen Derrick Memorial Scholarship – An endowed scholarship made possible by Nancy and Don Mafrige ’55, Ron Mafrige ’55, Steven Mafrige ’54, Jon Hampton ’57 and his sister, Hanna Drago, and his aunt Ruth Lofton. Contributions from other exes have also helped endow this scholarship in memory of Reverend J. A. Derrick, who taught at the Academy, and Mrs. Derrick, who was dean of the Lower School Boys.
The David J. Disiere Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by David Disiere, Class of 1970.
The Bobby and Duane Dupree Endowed Scholarship - An endowed scholarship established in honor of Bobby and Duane. Bobby served at SMA in 1967-1978 and again in 1988 and retired in February 2018. -
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Martin C. Eckhart Endowed Scholarship – The Martin C. Eckhart Endowed Scholarship was given in memory of Mr. Eckhart, Class of 1936, by his wife and family.The Bennie Ellis Endowed Memorial Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Head in memory of Miss Bennie Ellis. Mr. Head was a member of the class of 1956 and was a member of the Academy faculty from 1978 to 2004 and 2007-2008. -
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Folkes Endowed Scholarship – Given by Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Folkes to be awarded annually to an Academy day student.The Guy and Ruby Foster Endowed Scholarship – A legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Foster, this scholarship is administered by the Baptist Foundation of Texas.
The June Edgar Foster Scholarship – Given by E. A. “Mannie” Foster, Class of ’25, in memory of his wife, Class of ’26.
Ryan Fraser Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given in memory of Ryan Fraser by friends, family and alumni. -
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Gibbs Scholarship – An endowed scholarship for boys provided by the estate of the late Colonel C. C. Gibbs of San Antonio.
Greive Scholarship – This scholarship is presented to a National
Honor Society Member by the National Honor Society for assistance with tuition for a one year period.
Leslie James Greive, Jr. Memorial Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by family and friends in memory of James, a 1984 graduate of San Marcos Baptist Academy. -
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Willie Higgs Endowed Music Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given in memory of Willie Higgs by friends, family and alumni.
The Reverend Judd B. Holt Founder’s Scholarship honoring Rev. Holt, a founder of San Marcos Academy – The endowed scholarship is given by Reverend Holt’s granddaughter Carol Holt Garrison, Academy First Lady (2008-2015) and Member of the Board of Trustees, her husband Dr. John H. Garrison, former Academy President, their son Ryan Holt Garrison, and daughter Mindy Garrison Phillips.Hunt Scholarship – Given in legacy of Mrs. Estelle Hunt -
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Jamail Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Lee and Joe Jamail. Lee Jamail is a graduate of San Marcos Baptist Academy, Class of 1944.
Bob Jennings Memorial Scholarship – Given by his wife, Karen Jennings, family, friends, and alumni in memory of Robert Bryan “Bob” Jennings – Coach, Teacher and Mentor at SMA from 1976-1993.
Bess Jones Endowed Scholarship – Given in memory of Mrs. Bess Jones, by her daughter and son-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Britt Bell and other family and friends. Mrs. (Jerry) Bell is a 1937 Academy graduate and Dr. Britt Bell is a 1939 graduate.
Jesse and Opal Henderson Endowed Scholarship – Given Jesse and Opal Henderson -
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Zella Hartness Landfair Endowed Scholarship – Given by Mrs. Zella Landfair. -
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Mafrige Permanent Endowment Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Carolyn and Steve F. Mafrige, Class of 1954, Ron Mafrige, Class of 1955, and Nancy (Mauney) and Don Mafrige, both of the Class of 1955.Ron and Linda Mafrige Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Ron Mafrige, Class of 1955, and his wife, Linda Mafrige.W. Archer Maley Memorial Endowed Scholarship – Given in memory of Mr. Maley, Academy Class of 1920, by Mrs. Maley, their family and friends.The Master’s School of San Marcos Scholarship – An endowed scholarship made possible by the families and Board of Directors of the former Masters’s School of San Marcos. Beth LeDoux founded The Master’s School of San Marcos in 1993 as a Christian educational alternative for students in Texas, offering a classically modeled, academically advanced curriculum for elementary and middle school grades. The school closed its doors and merged with San Marcos Academy in the fall of 2019.Bill Joe May Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Rev. and Mrs. E.V. May in memory of their son, a former Academy student killed in action in World War II.Kyle McCain Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given in memory of Mr. Kyle McCain, former Academy counselor, by his family and friends.William McNiel Scholarship – An endowed scholarship made possible by his wife, sons, and friends in memory of “Brother Mac” who served the Academy for 40 years.Arvin C. and Lola B. Melton Scholarship – An endowed scholarship provided through the estate of Lola B. Melton as a tangible way to further the gospel of Jesus Christ with the prayer that it will assist some young person to have the benefit of attending the Academy.Thomas Morgan Memorial Endowed Scholarship – Given by Charlene Dowsett Morgan, Academy Class of 1939, in memory of her husband Thomas Morgan.
Alexander Muniz Memorial Endowment Fund – An endowed scholarship given by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Henry Muniz, in memory of their son Alexander (Alex) Muniz, a member of the class of 2006.
Kathryn Bowley Miles Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Kathryn (Class of 1970) and Joe Miles. This scholarship is awarded to a boarding student who demonstrates leadership and maintains an academic GPA of at least a 3.0.
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Anne, Catherine and Caroline Nash Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given in honor of Anne (SMBA Class of 1997), Catherine (SMBA Class of 1999), and Caroline Nash (SMBA Class of 2001) by their parents, Elizabeth and Charles Nash. -
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Charles and Michela Occhipinti Endowed Scholarship – The Charles and Michela Occhipinti Scholarship was given by Madeline Occhipinti Sciacca, a 1948 graduate of the Academy, in memory of her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Occhipinti are the parents of five San Marcos Baptist Academy graduates. -
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Nedra Lee Power Memorial Scholarship Fund – Alumni, family and friends established a scholarship fund in memory of Nedra Lee Power, wife of Captain Joe Power, former Commandant of Cadets and member of the Academy staff.CPT Paul Pena Memorial Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given in memory of CPT Paul W. Pena by friends, family and alumni. CPT Pena, a member of the SMBA Class of 2000 and a 2004 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, was killed in action in Afghanistan in January 2010. This scholarship will be presented to a high school student who has previously attended SMBA, maintained a minimum of a 2.0 GPA (3.0 preferred) and exhibited loyalty, integrity and leadership qualities. The recipient’s character must be representative of SMBA values. Preference will be given to a JROTC cadet.Pirtle Scholarship – An endowed scholarship for boys and girls given by Mr. George Pirtle, geologist, banker and outstanding churchman of Tyler, Texas.Pruitt Memorial Scholarship – Administered by the Baptist Foundation of Texas, the funds supporting the scholarship came from the estate of the late Avelah and Bernice Pruitt. -
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William “Bill” Rallis Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by his family and friends in memory of Bill, a 1977 graduate of San Marcos Baptist Academy.A.W. “Dub” Riter, Jr. Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by the Rogers Foundation and named for A.W. “Dub” Riter, Jr., a 1941 Academy graduate. This scholarship is awarded to an Academy student or applicant who demonstrates superior achievement and potential as well as financial need.James D. Rogers Endowed Leadership Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given in memory of LTC James D. Rogers by friends, family and alumni. LTC Rogers, a distinguished veteran of 23 years in the U.S. Army, served as Senior Army Instructor and later Commandant of the Corps of Cadets at the Academy from 1976 to 1992 and continued to teach and hold other administrative positions at SMA until 2002.Robinson Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by the late Mrs. Velma Robinson, a former Academy trustee and benefactress, of Edna, Texas.The Ruska-Watts Memorial Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Elisabeth Ruska Butler, SMBA Class of 1955, in memory of her parents, Walter E.A. Ruska and Celestia Maude Watts Ruska. -
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LTC Truett Lee Scarborough and Alma May Scarborough Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given in honor of Mrs. Alma May Scarborough by her step-son, LTC Truett Lee Scarborough as an expression of love and in recognition and appreciation for her providing the opportunity for him to attend the Academy.
The Clara Scott and Jimmie and Janet Scott Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship in memory of Mrs. Clara Scott’s Christian life and in honor of her son and daughter-in-law, Jimmie and Janet Scott.
Katherine A. Shultz Memorial Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by the Academy family and friends in loving memory of Katherine A. Shultz – Coach, Dean of Girls, and Director of Guidance at SMA from 1957-1997. -
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Mary Hall Thedford Endowed Scholarship – Given by the Velma Lee and John Harvey Robinson Charitable Foundation. Mrs. Thedford was a long time friend of Mrs. Velma Robinson and San Marcos Baptist Academy.
Mary Thedford Memorial Endowment Fund – An endowed scholarship funded by Mrs. Mary Thedford from Edna, Texas. Mrs. Thedford was a long time friend of Mrs. Velma Robinson and San Marcos Baptist Academy. -
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The Gertrude Williamson Endowed Scholarship – Given by Gertrude Williamson, a former Academy student. Preference is given to a student who is actively involved in an Academy music program.
Mary and Billy Windham Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Mary and Billy Windham. Mary Windham taught at the Academy from 1978-1999. This scholarship is intended for a person who has just completed the freshman Pre-AP English class at SMA.The Wittliff Scholars in STEM Studies
The James L. “Jim” & Theresa H. “Mitzie” Wittliff Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Jim Wittliff, Class of 1956, and his wife, Mitzie.
The Theresa H. “Mitzie” & James L. “Jim” Wittliff Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Theresa H. “Mitzie” Wittliff and her husband, Jim, Class of 1956.
The Wittliff Scholars in STEM Studies honoring Laura S. Wittliff-Walser – An endowed scholarship given by Jim Wittliff, Class of 1956, and his wife, Mitzie.
The Wittliff Scholars in STEM Studies honoring Margaret Raiford and Jesse E. Hano – An endowed scholarship given by Theresa H. “Mitzie” Wittliff and her husband, Jim, Class of 1956.USMC SSgt. Joseph Fankhauser and Clem & Allan Wyscarver Endowed Scholarship – An endowed scholarship given by Ms. Mary Wyscarver in memory of her son Joseph, and parents Clem and Allan Wyscarver. -
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Herbert A. Yarbrough, Jr. Scholarship – An endowed scholarship in memory of Mr. Herbert (Herb) A. Yarbrough, Jr., a dedicated community leader whose interest in and contribution to San Marcos will long be remembered.
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