Midland College Foundation News & Events

December 2 , 2006
Melba Yearian Trobaugh

Melba Yearian Trobaugh, who served on the Midland College Foundation Board from 1983-2004, died Saturday, Dec. 2. Mrs. Trobaugh and her husband, the late Allen “Moose” Trobaugh, were strong supporters of Midland College and the college’s programs, including aviation technology, the Chaparral Circle Endowment Fund, the Fox Science Building, scholarships and athletics.

Melba Trobaugh with daughters
Former MC Foundation Board member Melba Trobaugh (pictured third from left) with her daughters Sidney Scarborough
and Georgia Trobaugh, Speaker of the Texas House of Representative Tom Craddick. and MC President David Daniel.

In particular, the Trobaughs played a special part in supporting Midland College’s Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) degree in Technology Management degree. Funding from Mrs. Trobaugh supports the BAT faculty director position with an endowed chair — the “Trobaugh Free Enterprise Chair” — named for Mr. Trobaugh. He was a member of the Midland College Foundation Board from 1977-1983.

When the news came in December 2005 that Midland College had won approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer classes toward the bachelor’s degree, Mrs. Trobaugh was on hand for the announcement ceremony at Midland College. She and her daughters, Georgia Trobaugh and Sidney Scarborough, joined Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Tom Craddick for the announcement.

Melba Trobaugh was born in Williamsburg, Iowa on December 12, 1921. She graduated from the University of Iowa College of Nursing in 1943. After serving in the Naval Nurses Corp during World War II, she continued to work in different nursing positions until 1950, when she married Allen Trobaugh and moved to Midland.

Mrs. Trobaugh was a member of First Christian Church. She was a member of Children’s Service League, Community and Senior Services, Trinity School Board of Trustees and the Family Counseling Center. She was an original member of the Permian Basin Area Foundation and later served on its Board of Governors. She was also on the High Sky Children’s Ranch Board of Governors.

Survivors include three daughters and one son, Georgia K. Trobaugh of Midland; Sidney Scarborough and husband Brian of Midland; Susan O’Reilly and husband Jim of Austin; and Tom Trobaugh of Austin. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Houston and Kieffer Scarborough of Midland, and Abby, Connor, Callaghan, Liam and Shea O'Reilly of Austin and numerous nieces and nephews.

To give a memorial gift to the Midland College Foundation in Melba Trobaugh’s honor, contact the Midland College Foundation, Inc., 3600 N. Garfield, Midland, TX 79705, (432) 685-4526.

December 1 , 2006
Clara Lankford Armayor
Clara Lankford Armayor passed away on Friday, December 1, 2006 in Midland, Texas.

Clara was born on October 31, 1914 in Indianapolis, Indiana to the Late Dr. Joseph Fredrick Lankford and Mary Sears Lankford. She graduated from Key West High School and attended Florida State, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree. She taught at Key West High School for several years.

Clara met and married Arthur (Nevy) Vincent Armayor in September of 1941. They lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico from 1952 to 2003. Clara enjoyed gardening, animals, travel, art collecting and reading. She was very supportive of her husband's endeavors and a loving mother that encouraged her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband.

If you wish to contribute towards the Clara & Arthur Armayor LVN Scholarship in memory of Clara Armayor, click here. Or, you may mail your memorial to:

November 20, 2006
H. Max Perry

H. Max Perry, of Midland, passed away Saturday, Nov. 18.

He was born March 31, 1919 to Grover Cleveland and Ethelyn Lucile Roach Perry in Keller.

Max served his country from 1942-1946 in the U.S. Army in WWII as a warrant officer, serving in England and Europe. He was reared and educated in Walters, OK. and Terry Co. He married Wanda Rae Linam October 15, 1968 in Midland.

The family requests Midland College memorials be directed to the Max Perry Scholarship. If you wish to make an online gift in his memory, click here. Or, you may mail your memorial to:

October 18, 2006
Frank Cowden

Frank Cowden, Jr., a loving husband and father and former Midland College Foundation Board member, died peacefully Saturday, October 14, 2006, in Midland, Texas. Frank was a fourth generation rancher, a graduate of Midland High School (1936) and New Mexico Military Institute (1938) where he was a member of the polo team. He served four years in the Army Air Corps as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician (Crew chief) on P-38 aircraft. His tour of duty included 26 months in England, Africa and Italy during World War II.

Frank was born May 11, 1919 in Midland to Frank and Gladys Holt Cowden and attended Midland Schools. He lived in Midland and at the M Bar ranch founded by his grandfather Fred Cowden. After his military service, he returned to Midland and married June Wilkinson of Tuscola on December 8, 1945. He raised cattle and horses on the M Bar and Cross Bar Ranches and became active in civic and community service. He loved Hereford cattle, quarter horses and fly fishing in Colorado.

As a member of First Baptist Church of Midland, he served on numerous committees and capital campaigns and ushered at the 11:00 am service for over 45 years. Frank was Vice-President for Administration of the Executive Board of the Buffalo Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America, received the Silver Beaver Award given for distinguished service in the Scout program, and was the recipient of the Boy Scouts' first Distinguished Citizen's Award for exceptional community service in December 1989. He was inducted into the Haley Library Hall of Fame in September 2000, and is a recipient of the Midland High School Distinguished Graduate Award. Frank served as the first President of the Directors of Midland Memorial Hospital and was also a Trustee of Midland Memorial Hospital and a member of the Board of Governors. Frank has worked with the educational community of Midland serving as an elected school board member and a member of the Bi-Racial Study to Desegregate the Midland Public Schools in the 1950's and was a member of the Midland College Foundation Board. Frank was a Director of the First National Bank of Midland for 24 years and a past Director of Midland Savings and Loan Association, a director of the Midland Chamber of Commerce and was a board member of the United Way. He was a past president of the Midland Fair and Rodeo Association, and past Chairman and Director of Midland County, Texas Beef Council. He served on the board of the Midland Y.M.C.A. and is a former president of the Midland Country Club and the Midland Racquet Club.

If you wish to make an online gift in his memory, click here. Or, you may mail your memorial to:

September 28, 2006
Aaron estate will add more than $3 million to MCF endowment fund
When Midlander Todd Aaron died last February, he had already planned for his legacy of giving to Midland College to continue, leaving the majority of his estate to the Midland College Foundation.

The gift is now official, and $3,082,117 will go to the Chaparral Circle Endowment Fund (CCEF). “This is the largest single gift to the Foundation, and the Aarons are now the second largest contributor to the Midland College Foundation, preceded only by the Abell-Hanger Foundation established by George and Gladys Abell,” MC President David E. Daniel said.

“Through his 10 years of giving to the Midland College Foundation, Todd Aaron was able to enjoy the fruits of his gifts and see a return on his investment,” according to Dr. Eileen Piwetz, Midland College Foundation Executive Director. She noted that he rode around the campus circle everyday, watching the campus grow and the parking lots fill with students.

Until his death, Mr. Aaron maintained a close relationship with Midland College - attending events as his health permitted and celebrating his birthdays in the Aaron Medical Science Building with the children from MC’s Helen L. Greathouse Children’s Center. In visits with MC administrators, Mr. Aaron always asked about the college and said, “Midland College is really a great place. You all are doing such a fine job.”

For more information on Dorothy and Todd Aaron's legacy at Midland College click here.

July 31, 2006
Wayne Moore

Midland College Foundation (MCF) Board member Wayne Moore died at his home on July 29 at the age of 92. Mr. Moore joined the Foundation Board in 2005. Mr. Moore's philanthropy to the MCF included contributions to the Leona G. & John E. Fox Science Building, the Advanced Technology Center, Nadine & Tom Craddick Hall, Friends of the Series, the Davidson Distinguished Lecture Series and the Midland College Silver Anniversary, as well as generous unrestricted gifts. A Midland resident since 1940, Mr. Moore participated in the discovery and development of numerous oil and gas fields across the United States. He remained active in both the oil industry and ranching until his death. Also, Mr. Moore was a trustee and Chairman of the Board of Brite School of Divinity and served on the Board of Directors at Texas Christian University. He also participated in the development of Midland Presbyterian Homes (Manor Park).

If you wish to make an online gift in his memory, click here. Or, you may mail your memorial to:

May 03, 2006
Esteemed Midland College Friend and Supporter, Keleen Beal, Passes Away
Keleen Ashley Haubner Beal, who helped originate a major Midland philanthropical family foundation, died Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - leaving behind a legacy of philanthropy that included programs and buildings at Midland College.

Born on Jan. 4, 1917, to Alphonso and Eva Ashley Haubner, she married Carlton Beal on May 28, 1938. In 1953 the couple moved to Midland from Southern California. Mrs. Beal, with her husband, created the Beal Foundation in 1959 placing emphasis on educational, religious and charitable causes. She also served as chairman of the Foundation's board. In recognition of its service to the community, the Beal Foundation recieved the Permian Basin's 5th annual National Philanthropy Day "Outstanding Foundation Award" in November 1998. Midland College continues to be a major recipient of grants from the Foundation. Mrs. Beal, along with members of the Beal family, were honored for their contributions to the college when Beal Plaza was dedicated on Sept. 21, 1978.

The Beal family legacy of supporting Midland College has continued through the Beals' son, Spencer. In November 2005 he was recognized at the Permian Basin's 12th annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon with the "Outstanding Volunteer Award." He has served on the MC Foundation Board since 1984 and served as the board's president from 1992-1996.

Mrs. Beal is also survived by sons Carlton, Jr., Barry, Kelly and daughter Karlene Garber of Santa Monica, Calif. The family suggests memorials be made to the Dr. Gregory Bartha Health Sciences Scholarship Fund in the Midland College Foundation, or a favorite charity.

If you wish to make an online donation, click here. Or, you may mail your donation to:

April 15, 2006
New Grants Awarded
Since 1996, the Chaparral Circle Endowment Fund, administered by the Midland College Foundation, has been able to use $4.34 million in interest from the corpus to fund college projects. This year the Foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $190,000. For more information on the Chaparral Circle Endowment Fund click here.

April 3, 2006
Robert M. Leibrock

Robert M. Leibrock died on April 3 at age 85 in Midland after a long illness. He was a founding member of the Midland College Board of Trustees (1969), where he served 10 years. He was the second president of the board during the time the Al G. Langford Chaparral Center and other major buildings were constructed. Mr. Leibrock also served on the Midland College Foundation Board from 1974-1987. He was a trustee of the Abell-Hanger Foundation from 1979 to 1996.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the Memorial Christian Church Endowment fund or the Midland College Foundation.

If you wish to make an online donation, click here. Or, you may mail your donation to: