Morris Gift of $500,000 Aids Students from Arkansas

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Ron and Betty Morris

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Ron (B.S.I.E., 1958) and Betty (B.A., 1959) Morris of Dallas believe in education and want to help deserving young people who rely on financial assistance to obtain a college degree. Their recent gifts totaling $500,000 will help many students at the University of Arkansas for years to come.

Although the couple has funded many scholarships already within the university, one of the new endowments carries special meaning. The Ben Gray Scholarship was created in honor of the father of the couple’s daughter-in-law, Debbie Morris. Funds will be awarded to graduates of high schools in Marion or Baxter counties in Arkansas.

“Ben grew up in a family with 10 children and experienced the harsh reality of poverty,” said Ron Morris. “He was also limited by a very serious heart defect. The combination of these circumstances made it impossible for him to earn a high school education, much less attend college. When he became a parent, Ben insisted that his five children focus on education, and they all did exactly that.”

Two of his children, David Gray and Debbie Gray Morris, graduated from the University of Arkansas.

Gray passed away in 1991, but the importance he placed on education has lived on through his 10 grandchildren, eight of whom have pursued a college education. The youngest two are thriving in high school and making plans to attend college. One granddaughter graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2008, and another will graduate next week.

“This scholarship will allow Ben’s legacy to continue not just within his family, but it will also give the opportunity to other young people to achieve a dream and to live a life he was unable to live,” said Ron Morris. “We hope he would have been very proud to see his name on this scholarship.”

Ben Gray

The remaining portion of the Morris’ generous gift will fund the Ron and Betty Morris Scholarships, designated for students from Arkansas.

“I, too, understand the importance of financial assistance for college,” said Ron. “I was born on a small farm near DeQueen, Ark., at the height of the Great Depression. My family didn’t have running water or electricity. I realized I would need an education to make a different life for myself, and I began working after school and during the summers to save for college. I have enjoyed a successful career thanks to my time at the University of Arkansas and my sheer hard work and dedication. I want to instill that drive in students by supporting them through scholarships. I truly believe if there is a will, there is a way.”

“Ron and Betty Morris are very special to the college and to the university,” said Ashok Saxena, dean of the College of Engineering. “The Morris Scholarships make dreams come true for our students every year, and this most recent gift showcases not only the Morris’ passion for education, which we know to be strong, but also memorializes a very special friend and family member. I am proud to call Ron Morris one of our most treasured alumni, and I greatly appreciate his and Betty’s passion for helping others. We cannot say ‘thank you’ enough for their kindness, generosity and loyalty to the mission of our college and the university as a whole.” 

In addition to the two new funds, the Morris Scholarships include the Jack and Jessie Morris Scholarship, the Lee and Wilma Douglas Scholarship, the Ron and Betty Morris AAIE Endowed Scholarship and the Guie Morris Honors Scholarships.

Ron Morris began his career with General Electric, and later became a vice president at Thorsen Tool Co. Morris recently retired as the president and chief executive officer of his own company, Lyons Manufacturing Inc. He holds a master’s degree from Southern Methodist University, and Betty Morris earned a master’s degree from Syracuse University. The couple has two children, Ron and Robert, and six grandchildren. One son, Ron, is a 1984 graduate of the University of Arkansas, and one granddaughter, Megan, graduated from the university in 2008.