Texas Womans Spring 2024 Magazine

DONOR IMPACT
Passing on the Torch
Devoted TWU Alumna
Gives Back
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> MARY E. RIDGWAY, PHD ’71, ’74
R
etired Professor Emerita
of Kinesiology Mary E.
Ridgway, PhD ’71, ’74 has
held many titles during
her 30-year career, from
1976 to 2006, at the University of Texas
at Arlington (UTA), including professor,
head coach and chief. She achieved a
number of notable accomplishments
including leading the NCAA Division
I UTA Volleyball team to five national
tournaments, leading the U.S.
Wheelchair Sports Team in the 1992
Barcelona Paralympics and serving
as the chair of UTA’s Department
of Kinesiology.
Her favorite title, though, is teacher.
“It’s the student — it’s all about them.”
“I loved teaching undergraduates,”
says Ridgway. She shares how she truly
enjoyed being in the classroom and
challenging her students to succeed.
“At a young age, I was named the best
faculty member at a UTA annual award
ceremony, and I’m so proud of that
accomplishment.”
So, it’s not surprising that Ridgway’s
gifts creating three endowed
scholarships at Texas Woman’s are
devoted to students.
“They’re to support undergraduate
scholarships because that’s what my
whole career was about,” says Ridgway.
“We wouldn’t have research chemists or
physicians if we didn’t get them in at the
undergraduate level and support them
along the way.”
Ridgway received her master’s and
doctorate degrees from Texas Woman’s
in physical education, then taught
biomechanics and served on the UTA
faculty in kinesiology. She was named
the vice president for undergraduate
academic and student affairs, becoming
the third woman at UTA to serve in a
vice president role.
The Dr. Paula L. Scott Scholarship
Endowment in Communication
Sciences is named in honor of Ridgway’s
partner, Paula L. Scott, EdD, who
passed away in 2014 and served on the
faculty as an associate professor in
TWU’s Department of Communication
Sciences and Oral Health.
The second gift created the
Dr. Mary E. Ridgway Scholarship
Endowment, which supports
kinesiology undergraduates. Ridgway
devoted her career to the field of
kinesiology and sport, and she still
plays golf three times a week.
The Dr. Helen J. Ridgway and Dr. Mary
E. Ridgway Scholarship Endowment was
created by her third gift to TWU and is
named in honor of her sister, Helen J.
Ridgway. “My sister was a genius,” says
Ridgway. “She was seven years older and
was my role model and mentor. Helen
was just so humble.”
Helen Ridgway was a biochemist and
remained one well into her eighties until
she passed away. The endowment in
her honor supports students pursuing
their bachelor’s in chemistry and
biochemistry with a certification
from the American Chemical Society.
Ridgway’s generosity to support TWU
students and her lifelong dedication
to public education and sports are
leaving a lasting impact and inspiring
future professionals and scholars.
“I thought, I would never be where
I am today if it hadn’t been for TWU,”
says Ridgway.
8 TEXAS WOMAN’S