Opportunity Changes Everything

The Founders Opportunity Scholarship Endowment is the single largest scholarship program held by the South Plains College Foundation. Established in 1998 as part of SPC's 40th Anniversary, the Founders Endowment awards general academic scholarships to incoming and current students who graduate from service area high schools and beyond.

The Founders Endowment honors the member of the 1956 Citizens Committee that garnered state and community support for the establishment of South Plains College in 1957. These founding fathers believed that the region's high school graduates and young adults needed greater opportunity to realize the dream of a college education.

In 2019, the permanent endowment of the fund reached its $3 million goal. Proceeds from the annual Scholarship Gala and the SPC Scholarship Golf Scramble, as well as contributions and grants from individual donors and private foundations, help the fund grow each year.

The CH Foundation, the legacy of Christine DeVitt, has been a primary contributor to the Founders Opportunity Scholarship Endowment. Named a Pacesetter for 2004 by the Foundation Board of Directors, TheCH Foundation has contributed $525,000 to the endowment.

The fund will award $175,000 in scholarships to South Plains College students for the 2019-20 academic year. The majority of the student recipients will be first-generation college students.

Contributions of any amount to the Founders Opportunity Scholarship Endowment are always welcome.

1956 CITIZENS COMMITTEE

Orlin L. Brewer, Chairman, Publisher of the Levelland Sun-News
O.W. Marcom, Levelland ISD Superintendent
T.O. Petty, Hockley County School Superintendent
C.M. Phillips, M.D., Levelland Physician
John Potts, Levelland Businessman
Walter L. Reed, Levelland High School Principal
J.G. Stacy, President Levelland Chamber of Commerce
Robert C. Walker, Jr., Levelland Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
Orville R. Watkins, Levelland ISD Business Manager
La Vern McCann, Levelland Attorney