Max and Ernestine Murray Memorial Scholarship

From roots in Powell’s earliest homestead days, Max Murray went on to help pioneer this country’s space exploration program.

But he never forgot where he came from or his humble beginnings.

He was born in 1915 on the Shoshone Reclamation Project at Powell and grew up on an irrigated farm in the Willwood Division. He attended Powell schools before enrolling at the University of Wyoming where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 1938.

His life literally took flight when he joined Wright Aeronautical Corporation and served as technical representative during WWII with the Army Air Corps in North Africa. He joined North American Aviation in 1960 and was involved in the development of propulsion systems for the NASA Apollo Program. Later, He worked on the Air Force B-1 bomber and on the space shuttle main engines.

Scott Murray, son of Max and Ernestine Murray, said his parents wanted to give back to the community they loved. To accomplish that objective, the children of Max and Ernestine Murray set up a Northwest College scholarship in their name.

“Higher education gives people the opportunity to be self-sufficient and make lives better for all people,” Scott Murray affirmed.