New Presidential Scholarship to Honor Employee

Scholarship endowment is a tribute to long-time employee Marcie Beasley.

Written by Gary Vaughn

Development

For more than 10 years, members of Texas Tech’s Chancellor’s Council and visitors to the Chancellor’s office have enjoyed the obvious devotion to Texas Tech of Marcie Johnston Beasley, executive director of the Chancellor’s Council.

When Marcie was diagnosed with brain tumors last spring and began a difficult series of chemotherapy and radiation, her friends and colleagues looked for a way to pay tribute and show admiration for her service to Texas Tech.

Long-time friends and alumni Don and Kay Cash gave $100,000 to establish the Marcie Cates Johnston Beasley Presidential Scholarship for Texas Tech students. Marcie’s mother was then the first to donate to the fund.

“I wanted to be the first to contribute to this wonderful idea,” said Alta Mae Cates, 92.

“We’ve given to a number of good causes on the Tech campus, but nothing like this,” Don Cash said. “Our dream is that this remains the most prestigious scholarship any Texas Tech student can receive,” he added. “I hope others contribute to it so they can honor Marcie. She’s the best ambassador that Tech has ever had.”

Presidential Scholarships are given to entering freshmen students based upon academic achievement. They are the most generous and sought-after scholarships students can be awarded at the university.

“This terrible, sudden illness made us focus on what she has done for Texas Tech,” said Kay Cash. “I hope the recipients of this scholarship can understand all the love behind it. If everyone could pull together and see Texas Tech the way Marcie sees it — one big family — then this school would be more incredible than it already is.”

To contribute to the Marcie Cates Johnston Beasley Scholarship, contact Russ Gibbs, CEO of the Texas Tech Foundation, Inc. 806-742-1780.