Painting the Town Maroon - McMurry University

children. They expressed
appreciation for the support
of McMurry faculty and
staff who “helped us and
were so supportive of a
young couple with two
sons (18 months and
5 months at the time).”
Larry Ray ’73 also stressed
the importance of the supportive
McMurry community in his
comments: “If it hadn’t been for the other
students, I don’t believe I would have ever graduated.
They had a hand in my success.” Patty Heidenreich,
mother of Jacob ’05, gives credit to the McMurry faculty,
by sharing the following: “Jacob became a leader while
at McMurry, and he met some terrific people. Coach Bill
Libby was such a great asset when Jacob began his college
life.”
As the evening progressed I asked about the people
who had influenced them during their time at McMurry,
and so many people were mentioned that it is impossible
to list them all. Faculty members like Drs. Robert Sledge,
Gary Wilson, David Klassen, Clark Beasley and coaches
like Hershel Kimbrell, Grant Teaff and Pete Shotwell were
a sampling of names mentioned.
The quality of education at McMurry received equal
accolades. Brent Hammett ’68 stated, “McMurry exposed
me to a new and expanded intellectual world.” David
Codding expressed his agreement by saying, “I have been
impressed with the scope of educational exposure at
McMurry. My girls have been well prepared for graduate
school and for life.” Beyond a supportive community
and strong education, Charlie
and Shelly Ebarb received
something equally as
important from their
McMurry experience: “We
found each other!” Upon
graduation Charlie and
Shelley married and have lived
happily in Artesia since their college
days.
After an incredible evening listening to
stories of these committed alumni and friends
from Artesia, another piece of the puzzle fell into place,
and that is the invaluable support of generous donors
to McMurry and the role of the local United Methodist
Church. As mentioned earlier in the article, First
United Methodist Church in Artesia is one of only a few
churches whose members have received the Cross and
Flame Award two times (Cherie Widmayer and Shelley
Lorang Ebarb). This prestigious award is presented to
individuals in recognition of their distinguished service
to McMurry and the United Methodist Church. The
fact that two members of this local congregation have
received the Cross and Flame speaks to the role that First
UMC plays in this connection between McMurry and
Artesia, a connection that was voiced often throughout
the evening with my Artesia friends. In addition, many
former and current students have been the beneficiaries
of generous financial support provided through that
church. Students from First UMC are eligible to apply for
two different scholarships—the Yates Family Scholarship
and the Tom and Mary Sivley Scholarship. In addition,
the Chase Foundation provides scholarship assistance to
8 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y