4 minute read
FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH
Daniel Jones lived life full throttle, devoted to the things he loved. Facing health challenges at a young age only made him more passionate about Tarleton, its traditions and the university’s pep bands, where he marched and played baritone.
During class his senior year in 2016, Daniel suffered a seizure and died at age 22. As their grieving subsided, his parents, Paul and Carolyn Jones, knew exactly where they would invest his remaining college funds.
They endowed a scholarship in their son’s memory that enables students to join Tarleton’s marching band and basketball pep ensemble known as “Foul Play.”
“‘Bleed purple’ was Daniel — it epitomized him. Everything he did was about school spirit at Tarleton; he wore his ball cap with a purple T all the time,” Carolyn said. Her husband added: “He didn’t like the idea that students couldn’t afford the bands. Making it possible for any kid to join in was important to Daniel.”
Six students have already benefited from the Daniel Jones “Bleed Purple” Memorial Scholarship. Some of them knew Daniel, and his parents have received thank-you letters from all of them.
“This scholarship is our son’s way of continuing to help people,” Paul explained. “What better way to honor him. We feel good about it; Daniel’s legacy lives on. He lived the last five years of his life passionately loving Tarleton.”
Daniel Jones seen here as a member of Tarleton's marching band, The Sound and The Fury.
Jacey Smathers was a bucket filler who would take care of other people or animals before herself.
From Tragedy
The Joneses shared their experiences with Cheryl Baca, who lost her 22-yearold daughter, Jacey Smathers, to carbon monoxide poisoning last year. Jacey was a nursing student at Tarleton who recently started her clinical training.
“Jacey was a ‘bucket filler’ who would take care of other people or animals before taking care of herself,” Cheryl said. “That’s just who she was. Nursing was the perfect occupation for her because it allowed her to help others.”
Establishing the scholarship was a big decision for Jacey’s mom, who admits that her thoughts in the days following Jacey’s passing weren’t the clearest. The scholarship provided an opportunity for family and friends to express their love and respect.
“I never dreamed her scholarship would be endowed so quickly. The fact that so many people contributed and continue to contribute shows how many people loved Jacey. I am so grateful.”
Cheryl asked that recipients of Jacey’s memorial scholarship show the same passion for helping others that drove her daughter. Two nursing students vetted by the nursing faculty have received the scholarship.
“Nursing was Jacey’s chosen career and Tarleton her chosen university,” Cheryl said. “This scholarship will keep Jacey alive through other students who share those passions and encourage them to help others, too.”
Contact the Office of Development Box T-0415, Stephenville, TX 76402 (254) 968-9769 | giving@tarleton.edu
Continuing a loved one’s legacy of compassion is a common goal among surviving family and friends who establish memorial scholarships at Tarleton. Three close friends of Scott Riola’s initiated such a scholarship in his honor after the 29-year-old Tarleton graduate died in April 2017.
Scott was working his dream job as a medical flight nurse on his way to pick up a critically ill patient when his plane went down shortly after takeoff in Amarillo. His wife, Melissa Limmer-Riola, said the scholarship established by Scott’s friends, along with other tributes to him, give her comfort and hope.
“Scott has been memorialized and honored all over the country, and I’m so proud to have a scholarship in his name at Tarleton. It’s amazing to know he impacted so many people, and I hope he is remembered for a very long time.”
Tarleton graduate Scott Riola was living his dream as a medical flight nurse.
to Triumph
Helping cope with illness, grief and poverty came naturally to Don Cawley during his 50-year career in social work. Before he died this year of cancer, Don knew that his wife, Dr. Darla Beaty, who teaches at Tarleton, planned to establish a memorial scholarship in his name for social work students.
“Don applied his intellect to bettering other people’s lives and leaving something behind for humanity,” explained Dr. Beaty, assistant professor of social work at Tarleton-Waco. “He thought it was a wonderful idea to help the next generation of social workers in Texas who are giving back to their communities.” Darla prefers that Don’s memorial scholarship benefit lowerincome students at the Tarleton-Waco campus, where they often are the first in their families to attend college. Don worked his way through school, so he understood the need for financial aid.
“Striving to be a premier student-focused university plays out in reality at Tarleton,” Darla said. “And scholarships are a wonderful way to help students achieve their educations and dreams.”
Waco social worker Don Cawley and his wife, Tarleton Professor Dr. Darla Beaty
