WEST PLAINS, Mo. – In the spirit of those who established Missouri State University-West Plains over 50 years ago, campus officials presented Roger D. “Dusty” Shaw, president and general manager of Eleven Point Ranch, Inc., near Thomasville, with the prestigious Granvil Vaughan Founder’s Award during Saturday’s Missouri State-West Plains commencement ceremonies at the West Plains Civic Center.
The award, named in honor of the campus’ founder, the late Missouri State Rep. Granvil Vaughan, was presented to Shaw by Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett. The award is given annually at commencement to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact upon the mission of Missouri State-West Plains. Shaw is the 17th person to receive the award.
“Dusty Shaw is truly deserving of this recognition,” Bennett said. “Through the years, he has supported many causes and organizations in West Plains, not the least of which is Missouri State University-West Plains. His contributions to education, healthcare and conservation have advanced the quality of life for our area residents, and his long standing generosity and commitment to Missouri State-West Plains over the years has been instrumental to the growth and success of our campus.”
As a long-time supporter of higher education and Missouri State-West Plains, Shaw has given his time and resources both personally and as a trustee of the Arch W. Shaw Foundation. His first contribution dates back 42 years to 1973 when efforts were underway to raise money to remodel Kellett Hall as the first permanent home for the West Plains campus.
In 1992, only two privately-funded scholarship endowments existed for students attending Missouri State-West Plains. The Shaw family added a third when it established the Roger D. Shaw Endowed Scholarship in memory of Dusty Shaw’s father. As trustee of the Arch W. Shaw Foundation, Dusty Shaw continued making annual contributions to the scholarship endowment for the next 12 years to help it grow. It now provides sufficient financial resources to award multiple scholarships each year to help residents of Oregon County attend Missouri State-West Plains. As of Saturday, the Roger D. Shaw Endowed Scholarship had significantly and positively impacted the lives of 41 students.
As trustee of the Arch W. Shaw Foundation, Dusty Shaw established another scholarship endowment in 2006 in memory of his mother, Margaret Shaw. Known by many in the region as Peg, Margaret Shaw was passionate about education and at one time volunteered as a tutor for Missouri State-West Plains students. This scholarship already has helped 10 students pursue their educational goals.
In 2012, Dusty Shaw made a generous donation for the newly remodeled Gohn Hall in honor of the Gohn family. The facility serves as the home of the Missouri State University Outreach programs, which give area residents the opportunity to complete entire bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Missouri State University-Springfield locally.
In addition to these contributions, Dusty Shaw has been a familiar face at many receptions and events held in support of Missouri State-West Plains, including the annual auction, and he’s provided significant contributions to the Garnett Library and helped the Friends of the Garnett Library reach its “40,000 books on the shelves” milestone in 2010. And, as long-time manager of the Eleven Point Ranch, Dusty Shaw has used his expertise as an advisor for Missouri State-West Plains’ Agriculture Department Advisory Board.
“Dusty Shaw’s support for the success of the West Plains campus truly meets the essence of the Founder’s Award,” Bennett said.