The Don C. Dilley, Jr. Scholarship Fund was established in 2019 through a $1.5 million bequest from the estate of Don C. Dilley, Jr. The fund is designed to provide scholarships to full-time Texas Tech students enrolled and pursuing a four-year degree in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources. They must have had a GPA of 3.3 or higher when graduating from high school and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 while receiving the scholarship. The recipient will have exhibited leadership in and service to his or her community. The maximum amount of the scholarship is one academic year shall not exceed fifty percent of the in-state tuition cost for a full-time student.

Born in Dallas in 1936, Don C. Dilley, Jr. was the only son of Borger's Donald and Carol Dilley. He attended Borger High School for two years before going to Roswell, New Mexico to attend the New Mexico Military Institute. While at the institute, he was a member of the regimental swim, track and football teams. In addition, he was honored by being named Captain of Cadets.

Following his graduation from Texas Tech, Don entered the U.S. Navy serving as an officer on the joint staff of the U. S. Pacific Fleet Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Herbert Hopwood. Following his military service, he attended the University of California-Davis, perusing a graduate level agricultural science program. He then worked for the Shell Chemical Company in San Francisco.

In 1963, Don returned to Borger to manage the family's farming and ranching operations. Borger is located some 50 miles northeast of Amarillo. He ran the Texas panhandle businesses from 1966 until his retirement in 1988. In addition, he had various other business interests in Texas, New Mexico, California and Florida.

In 2001, Don moved to Pensacola in the Florida panhandle, where he lived for the remainder of his life. Known as a talented pilot, pianist and philanthropist, he was active in both church and outdoor activities. He was an excellent singer, too, serving as a member of his church choir.

Don died in November of 2017 at the age of 81. He was an outstanding, multi-talented 1956 graduate of Texas Technological College's agricultural economics program.

To support this scholarship, please visit The Don C. Dilley, Jr. Scholarship Fund gift page. 

Contact

Alex Yack
Alex.Yack@ttu.edu
Senior Director of Development
806.742.2802

Matt Williams
matt.williams@ttu.edu
Associate Director of Development
806.742.2802

Tanner Rex
tanner.rex@ttu.edu
Assistant Director of Development
806.742.2802