Lamar University receives generous scholarship endowment from Dr. Donald E. Owen

Lamar University has announced a significant endowment from Dr. Donald E. Owen, an esteemed alumnus and Professor Emeritus of Geology, to establish the Dr. Donald E. Owen Scholarship in Geology. This scholarship, managed by the Lamar University Foundation, Inc., is designed to support both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in geology.

Dr. Owen, a revered figure in the geological community, has designated Lamar University Foundation, Inc. as a beneficiary of his residuary estate in his will. The intent behind this generous donation is to provide financial assistance to full-time geology students at Lamar University. The scholarship aims to alleviate financial burdens and encourage academic excellence among geology majors.

Recipients of the Dr. Donald E. Owen Scholarship in Geology must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 to remain eligible. The scholarship supports students until graduation, with a probationary period aligned with the university's standard procedures for scholarship continuation. Full-time enrollment is required, although exceptions may be made for students in their last semester who may not need a full course load to fulfill graduation requirements.

Dr. Owen's academic journey began at Lamar University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Geology. He furthered his education at the University of Kansas, earning both an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Geology. His illustrious career included serving as the chairman of the Department of Geology at Lamar University from 1985 to 1994 and contributing significantly to various geological organizations. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Owen was involved in numerous professional and community services, including the Lamar University Faculty Senate and the North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature, where he served as chairman, vice chairman, and member from 1978 to the present. He was also a member of the International Subcommission on Stratigraphic Classification, Task Group on Sequence Stratigraphy.

Dr. Owen's research interests span stratigraphy, clastic sedimentology, and subsurface geology, areas in which he made substantial contributions to the field. His legacy at Lamar University is marked by his dedication to education, research, and the betterment of the geological sciences.

To learn more about establishing an endowed scholarship, visit http://www.lamar.edu/foundation.