El Reno Couple Gifts $750K

Future El Reno students were on the minds of the late Loy and Marian Morris when the couple endowed multiple scholarships at major universities throughout the State of Oklahoma. In October 2004, Oklahoma State University (OSU) received $750,000 from the Morris' estate for an estimated $30,000 worth of scholarships each year.

According to the Morris' wishes, students from El Reno would be the first in line to receive the scholarships, then students from the rest of Canadian County and lastly, the students from the remainder of Oklahoma.

Loy and Marian Morris were married July 17, 1944 in Woodward, Okla. After their marriage, they moved to Geary, Okla. where they raised cattle and a variety of crops including wheat, alfalfa, oats and beans. Through the inheritance of property, they enlarged their cattle operation by purchasing adjoining land.

The couple later lived in Colorado where they were avid outdoor persons who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and traveling throughout Colorado. In the 1970s, they returned to Oklahoma because of Loy's health and settled in El Reno. Loy Morris passed away in 1989. His widow, Marian Morris, became active in the oil and gas industry in the early 1980s and continued to actively manage her investments until her death.

Loy and Marian had no children but were always interested in supporting young people who wanted to pursue their education. The Loy and Marian Morris Endowed Scholarship Fund was established to aid students in receiving a college education.

OSU is grateful to Loy and Marian Morris, and their generous gift will allow the university to assist students for generations to come.