John and Margaret Barton, along with their children, established the E.L. (Bud) and Sophia Barton Scholarship at Northwestern Oklahoma State University to honor John's late parents' passion for education at all levels and to support non-traditional college students.

Originally from Vian, Okla., Bud and Sophia Barton were married in 1932 and moved to Alva in 1959. They were raised in a time where education was not as valued as it is today. Due to economic circumstances and family obligations, Bud left school to work on the farm and Sophia was forced to drop out of school at a very young age. Ho...