Third-Generation Miner Continues Family Legacy

Javier Rios in the lab.

For Leslyn Kirkpatrick, affection for The University of Texas at El Paso was a longstanding family trait. Just before her death at age 55 in 2006, Kirkpatrick asked that her entire estate be allocated to endow a scholarship fund for UTEP students. Her gift represents the last great act in a long legacy of involvement and support of the University by Kirkpatrick�s family.

Kirkpatrick�s great-uncle, Brigadier General S.L.A. �Slam� Marshall studied history at the University (then the Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy) from 1919 to 1920. He went on to become one of America�s most prominent and prolific military historians. In 1950, he was honored as the University�s first Outstanding Ex (the equivalent of today�s Distinguished Alumni Award). Marshall later donated his highly coveted personal library and rich collection of historical materials to the UTEP Library, establishing the S.L.A. Marshall Military History Collection.

Leslyn Kirkpatrick�s parents, B. Marshall and Barbara H. Willis, were also proud alumni of the University. Marshall Willis earned a B.A. in business in 1942 and Barbara received a B.S.Ed. in elementary education in 1966. Marshall Willis became a tremendously well regarded El Paso community leader. His numerous professional and civic appointments included positions as Director of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the mayor�s Citizen�s Advisory Council.

At UTEP (then Texas Western College), Marshall Willis chaired the committee that planned and sponsored the bond issue to finance the University�s Sun Bowl Stadium. He also served as President of the Alumni Association and Chairman of the Sports Publicity Advisory Committee. In 1967 he, too was honored as an Outstanding Ex. After his death in 1969, the B. Marshall Willis Library Memorial Endowment was established in his honor.

Leslyn Kirkpatrick

Leslyn Kirkpatrick, though not a graduate of UTEP, attended the University from 1968 to 1972. She later moved to Dallas, where she owned an advertising agency, became a master gardener, and volunteered at a school for children with multiple disabilities.

When Kirkpatrick, who had no children, learned she had terminal cancer, she immediately began to make arrangements to leave her estate to UTEP, further emphasizing her family�s longstanding commitment to the University�s mission. She named the endowment in honor of her parents: The B. Marshall and Barbara H. Willis Memorial Endowed Scholarship.

Kirkpatrick structured the endowment very carefully. She knew that most of UTEP�s students come from her hometown of El Paso and understood the difficulties many of them face in order to attend full-time as she had. She insisted that the terms of the scholarship favor local applicants, and was adamant that the award cover everything: tuition, accommodations, and study materials. Thus, the endowment provides full scholarships for graduates of El Paso area high schools.

In fall 2007, Javier Rios, a microbiology major who graduated as valedictorian from Irvin High School, became the scholarship�s first beneficiary. �I�m truly grateful to have this opportunity that was made possible through Leslyn Kirkpatrick�s generosity,� he said. �She and her family understood the importance of this University for the people of El Paso, and I know that I and all future Willis Scholarship recipients will add further honor to the legacy they have established.�

Leslyn Kirkpatrick with parents.