The Walter O. Mason Education Foundation was established in 1988 to honor the legacy of Walter O. Mason, Jr.
Through the generous commitment of the Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs, the Foundation provides an annual scholarship to support TRIO participants from the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas who have demonstrated a commitment to education and a strong desire for academic success.
Walter O. Mason, Jr.
Walter O. Mason, Jr. was born on May 5, 1922. He was raised and educated in Oklahoma, earning a Bachelor’s degree from Langston University and a Master’s degree from Oklahoma State University. Later he pursued doctoral studies at the University of Oklahoma.
After a career in secondary education, Walter’s work with TRIO began in 1963 while he was serving as the Executive Director for the Community Action Programs for Oklahoma City and Oklahoma County. It was at this time that he was selected to help draft language contained in the Higher and Continuing Education Act of 1965.
He was instrumental in the development of Upward Bound, helping to write the first regulations for the program, serving on the committee that selected the program’s name, and assisting in the design of the first Upward Bound logo.
In 1968, while serving as Director of Upward Bound at Oklahoma Baptist University, he met with other Upward Bound Directors in Oklahoma to professionally organize and eventually charter the Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance.
Walter was selected to serve as the Senior Program Officer for Region VI in 1971. In this capacity, he encouraged TRIO personnel to unify because there “was clout in numbers” and strongly urged the formal organization of the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Under his direction, the Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs (SWASAP) was founded. Thanks to his efforts, SWASAP was the first region in the nation to become a viable, professional organization.
Throughout his career, Walter remained vocal about his love of TRIO and willingly shared his knowledge, experience and expertise in order to strengthen the programs. He continued to provide guidance and advice on program management and regulations until his death on August 17, 1986.
