02/22/08 - Hallettsville attorney honors uncle with a President’s Endowed Scholarship

Lt. Col. Willard Levin

When Hallettsville attorney and rancher Terrell Mullins thought about a way to honor his late uncle, Lt. Col. Willard Levin, he turned to an area Mullins knew his uncle cherished – education. Mullins established the Lt. Col Willard Levin President’s Endowed Scholarship in the Texas A&M Foundation.

“Although his degree was in engineering, Willard Levin was well versed in music, literature, and the arts,” said Mullins. “He was passionate about education and I know that he would be proud to be assisting a student to obtain a liberal arts degree at Texas A&M University.”

Levin grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and worked in his father’s clothing store. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1941 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He entered the military after college and was stationed at the army air base in Victoria, where he met Mullins’ aunt, Anne Elkowitz.

Elkowitz was the librarian at Victoria College. They married after World War II, and she taught school in Ohio and California. She passed away in 2000. In 2003, Levin funded an endowed scholarship in her name at Victoria College.

During World War II, Levin served as B-24 navigator in the 392^nd bomb group in England. He completed 30 combat missions and for his actions earned the Distinguished Flying Cross among other awards. Levin served in the Air Force until his retirement in 1965. He later worked as a senior engineer for McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) Space Systems in California. He died on July 14, 2006.

Levin’s nephew, Mullins, is a 1967 graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in English. Mullins was a member of the Corps of Cadets and received an Army commission upon graduation. He was a Ross Volunteer (RV) and a member of the RV Firing Squad. Mullins participated in Scona, the Pre-Law Society, Political Forum committee, A&M Rifle team, and served as senior class president.

A President’s Endowed Scholarship (PES) is a merit-based scholarship program in the Texas A&M Foundation that is geared for high-achieving high school students who choose to attend Texas A&M University. It was established in 1968.

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-Leanne South