Autry C. Stephens Scholarship

The Autry C. Stephens Scholarship honors the extraordinary legacy of a man whose life embodied what education and determination can build.

The son of a peanut and melon farmer, Autry graduated from De Leon High School in 1956 and went on to earn his bachelor’s (1961) and master’s (1962) in petroleum engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.

Those degrees opened the door to a career that would span the breadth of the Texas oil industry. Guided by a relentless work ethic, resilience, and innovative spirit, Autry founded Endeavor Energy and grew it into one of the most respected independent operators in the Permian Basin.

He often credited his education as the foundation of everything that followed: “There will be many ups and downs during life, but your education will always be with you and will never disappoint you.”

Autry’s story illustrates the transformative power of education, showing what any student can achieve regardless of their background.

This scholarship is designed to encourage De Leon graduates to pursue their educational goals with confidence, seek new opportunities, take on meaningful challenges, and build a future of their own making.

Eligibility

• A graduate from De Leon High School;
• Applicants attending any accredited 2-year or 4-year institution or vocational/trade school.