NW Missouri Times

Marvin Jackson and his late wife, Ruth, have established a scholarship to support students at Northwest Missouri State University. Their connection to the university, where they both had fond memories, inspired this initiative. Marvin, who has lived in Dallas for over 30 years, stated, "I’ve never forgotten Maryville." The couple's $25,000 pledge will fund the Marvin and Ruth Jackson Mathematics Scholarship for senior students starting in the 2025-26 academic year.

The scholarship targets full-time seniors with a major in mathematics or statistics and requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25. Sam Mason from Northwest expressed his satisfaction in helping establish the scholarship: “It has been an absolute pleasure to help Marvin establish this scholarship.”

Marvin's ties to Maryville date back to his childhood when he lived near the Northwest campus. His mother worked at JCPenney before joining Textbook Services at Northwest, while his father ran a trucking business. A notable event during his youth was witnessing an explosion at Roberta Hall that led his family to rent their home’s second floor to displaced women.

Having completed his bachelor's degree in math from Northwest in 1964, Marvin pursued a career in education as well as computing later on. He began teaching junior high math in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and advanced into school administration after earning a master's degree through a cooperative program with the University of Missouri-Columbia.

His service was interrupted by military duty during which he served two years in Vietnam before returning to educational roles. Eventually transitioning careers, Marvin became a computing consultant and then worked as a programming analyst with Texas Utilities until retirement.

Ruth passed away in 2022 after working as a paralegal with the Environmental Protection Agency. The couple often discussed supporting educational institutions that shaped their careers and wanted to ease financial burdens for future students.

"Education was important to both of us," Marvin said regarding their motivations behind creating the scholarship. They aimed particularly at aiding students during their final year when financial strains can peak due to impending job searches or relocations.

Ruth's appreciation for Maryville prompted her request that Marvin set up this scholarship fund for Northwest students shortly before her passing. Reflecting on his professional journey, Marvin noted how pivotal his math degree was: “I always felt that the math degree opened up so many more doors for me.”

The scholarship fund remains open for additional contributions through contact with the Northwest Foundation via phone or online resources.