The McMurry Experience

Roger Ward’s McMurry Experience Motivates Him to Give Back

When Roger Ward graduated in 1967, there were only six students majoring in physics at McMurry. He studied under Virgil Bottoms, Ph.D., a physics professor whose work helped develop quartz crystal production in the United States during World War II. When Ward was considering his options for college, he said Dr. Bottom told him, “McMurry is not very fancy, but you’ll get a personalized experience.” Ward would graduate cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from McMurry and Master of Science in Physics from Purdue University.

“Talking to Roger Ward, you would always hear about the importance of educational opportunity,” McMurry physics professor Tikhon Bykov, Ph.D., says. “Those who are given such an opportunity and take full advantage of that opportunity will succeed in life.”

Learning about quartz crystals from Dr. Bottom enabled Ward to research and develop quartz crystal devices for HP Laboratories. In 1979, he became vice president of research and development for Colorado Crystal Corporation and later served as president and CEO of Quartzdyne, Inc.

“I wanted to give back what Dr. Bottom had given me,” Ward says. He felt the best way to honor Dr. Bottom’s legacy was to give to McMurry’s science programs.

The Ward-Bottom Science Scholarship is for students from towns with a population of less than 25,000 in Texas and majoring in one of the natural sciences. The scholarship covers 50 percent of expenses related to attending McMurry.

“The most exciting aspect of Roger Ward’s generosity is the scholarships that enable students to thrive in our programs,” McMurry biology professor Joel Brant, Ph.D., says. “These scholarships are substantial and will allow students to focus on their collegiate experience without worrying about the

Through his generosity, Roger has positioned the sciences to continue their legacy of excellence for generations to come. For that, McMurry is truly grateful. – Dr. Sandra S. Harper

finances. They will have the greatest impact on our science departments.”

Ward urged students to focus not only on the foundational parts of science but also how they communicate.

“It’s important to get the students involved in the real world,” Ward says. “What does the world need, and what can these students prepare themselves for?”

Along with the scholarship, Ward’s donations have given McMurry professors the ability to take students on graduate school tours and purchase a variety of equipment to enhance student learning experiences, as well as start a 3D-printing lab years before the technology was widely accessible.

“Roger Ward has devoted the last 25 years of his life giving opportunities to McMurry students,” Dr. Bykov says. “All of these opportunities were and continue to be essential for the success of our students.”