New science MCC scholarship to honor Roger Wilson

MCC biology instructor Rob Bogardus, left, congratulates student Dylan Harvie, who was awarded the first Roger D. Wilson Memorial Transfer scholarship.

Courtesy photo

McCOOK, Neb. - A new scholarship awarded to a graduating McCook Community College student has been established to honor long-time biology instructor Roger Wilson.

2024 MCC graduate Dylan Harvie, of McCook, is the first recipient of the $1,000 scholarship awarded to an MCC graduate transferring to a four-year institution and entering the biology/health field. He will attend the University of Nebraska-Kearney where he will study biology and wildlife management.

The new scholarship’s namesake, Roger D. Wilson, came to McCook in 1970 as a biology instructor and retired in 1999. In 2002, he was elected to the Mid-Plains Area Governing Board and served for eight years.

Roger Wilson

Wilson was born in Red Cloud, grew up in Gordon and received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Chadron State College. He taught and coached at Sargent, Madrid-Elsie, and Nebraska City high before earning his master’s degree in biology from the University of Montana in 1968.

In his time at MCC, many of his advisees and students became doctors, dentists, pharmacists, biologists, and many other successful careers. He may be best remembered by hundreds of students as sponsoring a yearly canoe trip down the Niobrara River for a two-night, two-day trip – taking as many as 115 students on that trip.

He was chosen Teacher of the Year three times and also helped initiate Inter-high Day in 1973, which continues today.

In 2020, Wilson received the President’s Award at Commencement ceremonies, for his four decades of support, promotion and commitment to MCC.

For those who would like to contribute to the Roger Wilson scholarship in his honor, contact Jim Hall, Director of Administration of the McCook College Foundation, 1205 E. Third, McCook, NE., 69001, 308-34505233 or email director@mccookcollegefoundation.org