Orville Lee Hayes, a Southwestern Adventist University trustee from 1983 to 1996, was born in Cass County, Texas. His father was a commercial builder in Jefferson, Texas. Laura Judge was born in Dallas and was a member of Southwestern's class of 1943. Her mother, Ruth, was the cafeteria director at the college in the 1940s. The Hayes were married in Dallas, Texas, and had one daughter, Dianna Hume, also an alumna of Southwestern Adventist University.

Mr. Hayes was board chairman at Jefferson Adventist Academy for 30 years. The Hayes owned and operated a builders supply in Jefferson and were involved in banking and oil investment. Mrs. Hayes spent 40 years helping young people get an education. She was also active as a volunteer in her home church, raising money for the poor and sharing food and clothing to the poor in East Texas. Mr. Hayes passed away in 1996, and Mrs. Hayes passed away in 1999.

Scholarship award requirements

The Orville Lee and Laura Judge Hayes Scholarship is chosen among students from East Texas.

Students Recipients 

2016-2017 -Marty Dixon

2020-2021 - Shanon Richards

2019-2020 - Arielle Powell

2018-2019 - Judas Cuevas , Grecia Torres Perez

2017-2018 - Mairim Arguetta

2016-2017 - Loisbet Castro

2015-2016 - Kzerne Maypa

2014-2015 - Herbert Quintero , Adrian Sotelo

2012-2013 - Eric Michaelson

2011-2012 - Summer Weeks

2010-2011 - Amber Huggins

2009-2010 - David Mooney

2008-2009 - David Mooney

2007-2008 - Jasmin Blanco , April Spooner

2006-2007 - Christopher Bauder

2004-2005 - Joseph Austin