Since moving back "to the land of good chile and friendly people" eighteen years ago, many NMSU programs and students have benefited from his generosity.

The list of scholarships and contributions to the music department, College of Engineering, home economics, the library and the Annual Choral Invitational is staggering. He set up a music endowment fund in memory of his wife 16 years ago, and since that time has offered scholarships to two deserving band students each year.

Ward, who says he's not one to "sit around and watch the boob tube in a rocking chair," is also generous with his time. He has been a member of the President's Associates, past secretary for the NMSU Foundation's Board of Directors and the Alumni Executive Council for the Corbett Center Student Union Association. Also active on a community level, the energetic retiree serves on various committees for St. Paul's Methodist Church and the University Terrace Good Samaritan Village. He is also active with the board for the Academy for Learning in Retirement.

Professors, department heads and students are equally impressed with the efforts of Jack W. Ward, who was named the first recipient of an honorary professional degree in electrical engineering from the Engineering Honor Society May 1998. Joe Creed, former assistant dean of the Engineering College says, "He is a very valued alumnus - he's been very generous to us and to the music department. He is a wonderful friend to the university."

The recipient of awards from the Crimson Society, Regents Associates and the Circle of Excellence, Ward was honored as a recipient of the Branding Iron Award. Additionally, he has been received awards from the Dona Ana Arts Council and the Texas-El Paso Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.