Dyess celebrates 45 years with McMurry University

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Dyess celebrated 45 years of partnership with McMurry University by holding a celebration at the Heritage Club here Jan. 20.

Doctor John Russell, president of McMurry University, attended the event along with Norm Archibald, mayor of Abilene, Dr. Cristen Carson, base education officer, and more than 150 guests from Dyess and the community.

Colonel Garrett Harencak, 7th Bomb Wing commander, hosted a press conference with local media before the event, allowing McMurry leadership to answer questions regarding the university’s partnership with Dyess and the scholarships and opportunities it offers to Airmen.

“McMurry University has done a superb job of supporting Dyess,” Colonel Harencak said. “We are stronger, more lethal, and better defenders of our great nation (because of them).”

He went on to boast of the scholarship McMurry offers for Dyess members, which offsets the cost of private education. Air Force tuition assistance has a cap that covers 75 percent of McMurry’s costs, but McMurry offers to pay the remainder of their fees for any Airman who maintains a 2.0 grade point average or higher.

“(This is) one more manifestation of the tremendous support we receive from Abilene,” Colonel Harencak said. “McMurry goes above and beyond and includes Dyess in extra-curricular activities as well.”

He referred specifically to McMurry’s football team, which three active-duty Airmen played on last year.

“I’ve never seen a college offer that opportunity anywhere in the world,” Colonel Harencak said. “That aspect is unique to Dyess.”

Doctor Russell, who was once an active-duty Air Force servicemember, said they have as much support from Dyess as they give to Dyess.

“(Partnering with Dyess) has created a rich learning environment for the entire student body,” he said. “(We have) a great relationship; it works for both of us.”

“Besides,” he added, “Dyess Airmen are good students to have -- they do their homework, read the material, and set the curves.”

McMurry has proven that they accommodate the Air Force by offering flexible degree programs. If they don’t offer a major, “We can put together a major through our interdisciplinary studies courses and tailor it to fit (Airmen’s) needs,” Dr. Russell said.

But they don’t stop with flexible degree programs. They also work with deployed Airmen, he said.

“(We have) students taking general education classes in Iraq and Afghanistan as we
speak,” Dr. Russell said. “(Our) accommodating relationship works for both of us.We want to help young Airmen succeed. The fact that that kid in Kirkuk or Kabul can still get his degree ... that’s what makes this (relationship) enduring.”

Colonel Harencak agreed, remarking on how much McMurry has evolved over time to meet the needs of the Air Force.

McMurry now offers 16 courses on Dyess and has more than 100 Airmen enrolled, Doctor Russell said. He also boasted of the Blue Streak program, which offers all of the general education courses Airmen need to get the Community College of the Air Force associates’ degree.

At the end of the program, in order to show appreciation for all that McMurry has done for
Dyess, Colonel Harencak presented Doctor Russell with a plaque and certificate, along
with a flag which Dyess flew over Afghanistan in McMurry’s honor.

“It’s been a great 45 years,” the colonel said, “and we look forward to 45 more years of partnership with McMurry University.”