Eleanor Smith and Charles Lewis Garrett Endowed Scholarship

Eleanor Paxton Smith Garrett enrolled at Sam Houston State University where in May 1954 she earned a B.S. degree in elementary education, minoring in english, social studies, and fine arts. In August 1955, she was awarded a M.Ed. degree from the university. Her father held both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Sam Houston, and a lot of her family also held degrees from the university. In 1955 she married Charles L. Garrett and taught school in the Beaumont/Mid-County area while he earned a B.S. degree in electrical engineering. In 1964 she assisted him in founding Garrett Electronics to manufacture and sell metal detectors to be used primarily for treasure hunting. She has since served as a company officer and now Garrett Electronics is the world’s largest manufacturer of metal detection and security equipment. This scholarship as established to provide financial assistance to students pursing an education degree.