This spring, during the Pillars of Philanthropy: Night of Gratitude dinner, McMurry University presented its highest philanthropic honor — the John Wesley Award — to Mr. Roger Ward ’67, whose remarkable career and generosity trace directly back to a formative mentorship with a McMurry professor.
As a physics major in the 1960s, Roger Ward studied under Dr. Virgil Eldon Bottom, a revered faculty member and chair of McMurry’s Department of Physics from 1958 to 1973. An internationally recognized expert in piezoelectricity and quartz crystal design, Dr. Bottom’s impact extended well beyond the classroom. He immersed students in hands-on research, offering practical experience while fostering a deep spirit of curiosity and innovation.
Dr. Bottom’s mentorship sparked a lifelong passion for science and a sense of purpose for Roger. After graduating from McMurry, Roger became president and CEO of Quartzdyne, Inc., a leader in high-precision quartz pressure transducers in the oil and gas industry. His professional success is rooted in the very field that Dr. Bottom introduced him to — a legacy Roger continues to honor.
In tribute to his former professor, Roger established the Ward-Bottom Physics Fund at McMurry, an endowed gift exceeding $2 million. The fund supports scholarships for students studying in the natural sciences, particularly those from small Texas towns, and enhances faculty resources and undergraduate research opportunities. It has provided more than $581,000 in scholarships to 17 students.
The John Wesley Award, named for the founder of Methodism and his call to “do all the good you can,” honors those who embody a spirit of service, generosity, and purpose. Roger Ward’s exceptional commitment to McMurry University, rooted in gratitude for the mentorship that shaped his life, is a distinguished example of those values.
Now in its third year, Pillars of Philanthropy: Night of Gratitude was held for the first time under the leadership of President Dr. Lynne Murray. In addition to honoring Roger Ward with the John Wesley Award, the evening featured the induction of new members into the S.M. and Inez Jay Society and the Trailblazer Society. It also marked the inaugural recognition of the 1923 Legacy Society, established to honor those who have made the deeply personal decision to include McMurry in their estate plans, ensuring their legacy and commitment to McMurry live on for generations to come.
The evening was a meaningful celebration, with Roger Ward’s story at its heart — a powerful reminder that a single investment in a student’s potential, whether from a professor or a donor, can echo across decades, shape industries, advance science, and create opportunities for generations to come.