WEST PLAINS, Mo. – To honor and remember his enthusiasm for Grizzly Athletics at Missouri State University-West Plains, the family of local businessman and longtime Grizzly fan Carr Ward has established a scholarship in his name.

The Carr Ward Family Grizzly Endowed Scholarship will be awarded annually to a member of the Grizzly Volleyball and the Grizzly Basketball team who is enrolled in at least 12 credit hours of study and displays personal integrity and character, leadership qualities, the potential to succeed academically, and the ability to represent the university with excellence, according to the scholarship guidelines developed by the family.

Ward, who passed away May 6, 2014, was a supporter of Grizzly Athletics from its beginning, said Dr. Herb Lunday, dean of student services and director of Grizzly Athletics.  He was a member of the Grizzly Booster Club and a past president of the Grizzly Booster Club Executive Board of Directors.

“Carr Ward loved his family, friends and community.  He loved God, country and the United States Marine Corps.  He loved the university and the Grizzlies.  He was active in community service.  He always had a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye, and a kind word for everyone,” Lunday said.

The scholarship will be added to the Grizzly Athletics endowment, which currently holds assets of nearly $1.5 million, Lunday said.  Funds in the endowments are never spent for any purpose, and their earnings are used annually for college scholarships, he explained.

“Carr was a very happy man.  He made this a better world.  I am honored to have been among his friends, and I am very happy that upon endowment, a scholarship will be given in Carr’s honor every year, forever,” Lunday said.

Friends and family members who would like to contribute to the scholarship in memory of Carr Ward should contact Lunday at 417-255-7255 or the Missouri State-West Plains development office at 417-255-7240 or WPDevelopment@MissouriState.edu.

For more information about ways to give to Missouri State-West Plains, visit www.wp.missouristate.edu/development.