Five families dedicated new plaques marking endowed scholarships at Wayland Baptist University recently. Scholarships were unveiled in the name of Glenn and Betty Bickel of Plainview; David S. Pounds, Ph.D. and Eliede T. Drost-Pounds of California; the late Robert Wright Reeves; Harold and the late Bobbie Trull of Crosbyton; and the late Cecil and Kathleen Turner.

The Glenn and Betty Bickel Endowed Scholarship was established by the Bickels, longtime Plainview residents. Glenn is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and worked for more than 40 years for Southwestern Public Service Company in the Lubbock Division in engineering and sales. He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Texas and worked as a consultant since retirement.

Also an OSU graduate, Betty earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree and has completed advanced studies in counseling. She is a licensed professional counselor and is certified in the field of administration. She has been a high school counselor in Borger, Long Branch, N.J. and Plainview. She was also a classroom teacher and college instructor.

The David S. Pounds, Ph.D. and Eliede T. Drost-Pounds Endowed Scholarship was created by the Pounds, who now live in California. A high school dropout, David joined the U.S. Navy in 1954. Soon, he accepted Jesus Christ as his savior and began to realize the importance of education. He took correspondence courses and completed his GED, then was accepted to Wayland on individual approval after his discharge from the Navy.

As a married student with children, Pounds worked part-time, received funds from the GI Bill and a Wayland scholarship to pay his tuition. He believes the excellence of the university's Christian education provided an academic foundation to allow him to earn advanced degrees. The Poundses established the scholarship to show gratitude to God for Wayland and to pass along his blessings to help others earn a Christian education.

The Roberta Wright Reeves Endowed Scholarship was created by a trust to honor the late Reeves. The daughter of Gilbert Greer Wright and Dela Slaughter Wright, Roberta was the granddaughter of Col. C.C. Slaughter, cattleman and a Baptist who had extensive ranch land in Western Texas, surrounding what is now Wayland.

Reeves was well known in social and charitable circles in Dallas. She gave of her time and energies to serve others, and education was of great importance to her. She died May 13, 1989, in Dallas.

The Bobbie and Harold Trull Endowed Scholarship was created by their children and family to honor two longtime plains residents. A native of McAdoo, Bobbie attended Hardin-Simmons University. After marrying Harold Trull in July 1947, the couple began farming in Slaton before moving to the Wake community near McAdoo.

Both were active church members, Bobbie serving by teaching Sunday school, Girl's Auxiliary and WMU as well as leading singing. Harold served as a deacon for many years, was association clerk for Caprock Baptist Association, and is still active at First Baptist Church in Crosbyton.

Bobbie died Sept. 24, 2001. The couple has two sons, Alton and Clifford Trull, a daughter, Kathie Trull Walker, and eight grandchildren.

The Cecil and Kathleen Turner Music Endowed Scholarship was established by their four children, all Wayland graduates and all members of the International Choir. The Turners moved to Hale Center in 1951 and began a relationship with Wayland, Kathleen by enrolling in religion classes and the couple by welcoming foreign students into their home for holidays. They were longtime members of the First Baptist Church in Hale Center, where Kathleen taught Sunday school and was associational and district YWA director for many years. Kathleen was director of nurses for the South Plains College LVN Program on the Wayland campus for 10 years.

The Turners loved music and Cecil sang in the church choir for more than 30 years. The couple fostered a love for music in their children as well, through piano lessons and children's choir. Two of their children majored in music at Wayland and one minored. During their children's time at WBU, they purchased a piano for the practice room. Their children are Viki Turner Hicks, Eddie Turner, Kathie Turner Jackson and Terri Turner Burke.

Endowed scholarships are invested through the Baptist Foundation of Texas, with annual interest used to award scholarships to students at Wayland Baptist University. Donors may specify criteria for awarding scholarships, or they will be distributed to students with financial need as they qualify.