Earl and Bess Douglas Family Scholarship
The Douglas family has many ties to Tech and Socorro, and this
scholarship was established by several Douglas children in memory
of their parents/grandparents.
2006-07 Recipients
Michael Lam
Linda Muniz
Melinda Moore
2005-06 Recipients
Brittany Carrejo
Melinda Moore
news story by George Zamora, 1995
The Earl and Bess Douglas Family Scholarship Fund was established
in 1995 at New Mexico Tech in honor of a Socorro family whose
members include educators, a local attorney, and a former Tech
registrar.
Earl and Bess Douglas and their growing family first moved
to Socorro from the Four Corners area in 1935 when Douglas was
offered, and accepted, the position of superintendent of the Socorro
school system, a post he held until he retired from his career
in education. Douglas later became a businessman in Socorro, having
established an insurance company, and also represented the area
for several terms in the New Mexico State Legislature. After he
died, Mrs. Douglas continued to manage the family's insurance
business for several more years.
The Douglas family's contributions to Socorro and New Mexico
were further augmented by Earl and Bess's children:
- David Eldon Douglas, lawyer and former District Attorney
in Socorro, attended the New Mexico School of Mines and graduated
with a bachelor of science degree in basic sciences in 1937.
His late wife, Mary (nee Williams) provided years of service
to the Socorro Consolidated School system as a teacher and counselor.
- Earl McGrath "Mac" Douglas continued in the educator's
path established by his father. He taught in several locations
throughout central and western New Mexico and eventually retired
as teacher from the Socorro school system. His wife, Margaret
Jane (nee Weir), also taught in various schools throughout the
state and in Socorro. New Mexico Tech's Weir Hall is named in
honor of her father, John Weir, a longtime professor of mining
at the college.
- Donald V. Douglas pursued a career in the aeronautics and
aerospace fields, having retired from the Martin Marrietta Company
in Denver, Colo. Don moved back to his hometown with his wife
Patsy, who became manager of the gift shop at Socorro General
Hospital.
- Upon her graduation from the University of New Mexico, another
of the Douglas children, Enid (nee Douglas) Westbrook returned
to Socorro and taught for several years in local schools. After
her marriage to George H. "Harvey" Westborrk, a 1960
petroleum engineering graduate of Tech, she moved on to teach
in Wyoming and Colorado.
- Virginia (nee Douglas) Marquez, is probably the child of
Earl and Bess who is best-known to Tech alumni. She served as
Tech's Registrar for many years. Her husband Manuel, "Manny,"
held managerial positions at First State Bank of Socorro and
Socorro Electric Coop and is an active volunteer in civic and
parochial activities.
In addition, several grandchildren of Earl and Bess Douglas
have attended New Mexico Tech.
The scholarship benefits students who are full-time undergraduates
making satisfactory progress toward a degree. No specific major is
required.
Donations may be sent to:
Advancement Office
New Mexico Tech
801 Leroy Place
Socorro, N.M. 87801
To contact us, please call 1-800-428-TECH or email
advancement@admin.nmt.edu
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