Dr. Mary Morton and her husband, Dr. Bobby Morton, have established the Dr. Walter Ray Strebeck Endowed Scholarship at William Carey University. This scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student double-majoring in ministry and education.
Mary Morton said her brother, the late Dr. Strebeck, was a remarkable public servant.
“At different moments in his life, friends may have called him teacher, soldier, pastor, principal, or superintendent. He devoted his life’s work to education in nearly every stage of a student’s life. We are pleased to continue his genuine passion for education by establishing the Dr. Walter Ray Strebeck Endowed Scholarship in his memory at his alma mater, William Carey University,” Morton said.
Dr. Teresa Poole is dean of the WCU School of Education: “We are truly appreciative of the Mortons’ generosity and support for William Carey students who choose to define their futures by combining a commitment to education with a desire to share the gospel.”
Strebeck began taking college courses in 1949 but joined the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War because he felt the call to serve his country. When he returned home, Strebeck started teaching high school English classes and became the interim pastor of Cold Springs Baptist Church in Collins – all while finishing his college education. Strebeck graduated in the first class after Mississippi Woman’s College became William Carey College.
After graduation, Strebeck continued teaching English in high schools while pastoring or serving in leadership positions in local churches. After earning a master’s degree in education from The University of Southern Mississippi, where he also taught, Strebeck left Mississippi in 1970 to serve as language arts supervisor of the Pensacola Public School System and principal of Brownsville Middle School. While in Florida, he earned a doctorate in education from West Florida University.
In 1984, he returned to Mississippi as superintendent of education for Gulfport School District. During his years in Gulfport, he also served as an interim director of education for WCU’s Gulf Coast campus. In 1996, he retired to Seminary, where he was an active member of Seminary Baptist Church. He also devoted time to the Covington County School Board until a few years before his passing in June 2016 at 85 years of age.
During his life, Strebeck was a sought-out speaker and wrote books about his faith and his experiences as Mississippi’s first public school conservator. Strebeck was a long and faithful donor to William Carey University, which honored him in 1985 as Alumnus of the Year.
Dr. Brett Golson, WCU’s vice president of Spiritual Development and Church Relations and dean of the Cooper School of Missions and Ministry Studies, thanked the Mortons for their gift: “This scholarship is such a great way to honor Dr. Strebeck’s personal commitment to education and ministry.”
If you are interested in supporting WCU students with a donation to the Dr. Walter Ray Strebeck Endowed Scholarship, please contact Karen Golson at (601) 318-6526 or
kgolson@wmcarey.edu.
In the photos: - Above: Dr. Mary Morton and her husband, Dr. Bobby Morton, are shown with Dr. Teresa Poole, dean of the WCU School of Education, and Dr. Brett Golson, vice president of WCU Spiritual Development and Church Relations and dean of the Cooper School of Missions and Ministry Studies.
- Below: WCU President Dr. Tommy King and Dr. Walter Ray Strebeck.
- Below: Dr. Walter Ray Strebeck and his wife, Jean.
