Elizabeth Garnett-Barton created a memorial scholarship in honor of her late husband, Melvin Barton, in 2021. When we asked what she thought Melvin would think of the scholarship, she said:
“I think he would be surprised, especially that I would create it at Fort Hays State instead of K-State. I just felt like this is where it needed to be.”
Building a Life Together
Melvin grew up on a farm in Decatur County. Elizabeth was raised outside Ellinwood, KS, just south of the Arkansas River.
After Mel graduated from Oberlin High School, he enlisted in the Navy and served for four years on the U.S.S. O’Bannon. He was only back home for two weeks before he left for Kansas State University.
Elizabeth and Melvin met at Kansas State in the summer of 1957 then were married on February 28, 1958. The couple enjoyed 40 years of raising two children and traveling the world on fishing trips.
Elizabeth and Mel were constant fishing partners. She is always ready to tell a fishing trip story, whether it was from the Arctic Circle, Honduras, or the dock on the lake behind their home in Kansas City.
“Some people run, go to the gym, or do yoga. Fishing was Mel’s form of meditation. It didn’t matter if he caught a fish or not. Just sitting, quietly holding his pole brought peace to him.”
“Offering a helping hand”
So why did Elizabeth decide to create a scholarship to help Decatur County students attending Fort Hays State University instead of the couple’s alma mater?
Elizabeth watched FHSU thrive since the 1930s when she first came to our campus for 4-H.
“Fort Hays State has grown into quite a university. We need to keep it growing and help draw in new students. Scholarships help students decide where to attend college.”
She also wanted to give back to the Decatur County community.
“I wanted to create a scholarship as a helping hand towards the community that raised Mel.”
Thank you, Elizabeth, for making a positive impact on students’ lives from Western Kansas and at Fort Hays State University!