Wisdom Wednesday: The Perry Family

The Terry Foundation has allowed a rebirth for our family which we never imagined. Stephen and I have been together since high school, through South Plains College, through 9 years in the military, have become parents to 2 great kids, and now the new direction for our family: Texas Tech University and the professional career beyond.

It has been Stephen's dream to go back to school post-military, and growing up part time in Lubbock stirred an overwhelming love for Texas Tech. We spent several years moving around with the Navy and knew we would end up back in Lubbock. Our plan was very basic. Let's go back, find a small place to live within small means, and make it work. Sounds simple enough, however being the non-traditional older, former military father AND student had its challenges. We just knew it had to work out. We prayed and trusted that something would work out.

It started with a simple invitation to apply for a transfer scholarship from the Terry Foundation. Stephen spent some time reading up on the immense, rich history of the Terry Family and the scholarship. He was excited to apply! Later on, he received an invitation to interview in Dallas where we were so quickly invited to partake as a family in the short trip. It was so generous how we were taken care of right away without even being part of the Terry Family yet.

A few weeks later, he got the call that he had been accepted as a Terry Transfer. It was such a blessing and immense and immediate excitement for us. I was so proud that he felt confident enough to even think about going back to school and now he had a way to pay for it. If nothing else, the Terry Foundation has provided for us financially while Stephen pursues his dream. Yet it is so much bigger than that.

The Tech Terrys are family. Meeting Heather made our non-traditional little family feel so welcomed immediately. Kelly made sure that we knew people right away and got to making everyone feel like we had someone to talk to if we needed anything. Our kids enjoyed fun night out at Main Event where everyone had fun together.  The chairs of different groups are always looking for ways to make sure Terry Scholars are connected to each other, through different student classifications, ages, hobbies, and areas of study.  It’s a pretty diverse group.  They’re all treated like family.

The Terry Foundation has had a great impact on our family.  It has allowed my amazing husband to focus on school, on our family’s new direction, on pursuing his dream, and to do so without worrying how we will make it all happen.  It has provided immense financial support in a time where we would likely struggle to make it all happen and stay committed to the life we have already created financially.  Most people don’t get the opportunity to pursue their dream field of study after their early 20s.  The Terry Foundation made that all possible for us.  We have been on quite a ride together so far, and this chapter has been exciting and stretching in so many good ways.  We owe so much to a foundation that gives back to the students of Texas, without worrying that they are non-traditional.  I have seen so many different people who benefitted from this amazing opportunity.  It’s so exciting to hear of others’ backgrounds and situations that make them transfer students back on the road to higher education.

Stephen is so proud to be a Terry Scholar and our family is so honored to be a part of the experience.  Thank you ever so much for the opportunity and the vision to help people achieve their dreams.  It’s the generosity and the drive to improve that will most likely stick with me for the future when looking back on our time with Texas Tech and the Terry Foundation.  I look forward to being someone who gives back and looks for the opportunity to help someone believe in themselves to grow, to learn, and to be good in our world.


​Megan Perry