MTSU recently welcomed back alumnus Bob Pickard, a 1976 graduate in History & International Relations, for a campus visit. His tour featured meetings with department leaders, including Kristi Shamburger, Chair of Theatre and Dance; Dr. Andy Polk, Interim Chair of History; Dr. Amy Atchison, Chair of Political and Global Affairs; and Dr. Louis Kyriakoudes, Director of the Albert Gore Sr. Research Center.
Pickard and his fiancée, Cami Quintos, also explored programs that shaped his lifelong commitment to education and public service. He enjoyed a a tour of the Albert Gore Sr. Research Center, and a preview performance of Pirates of Penzance with MTSU Theatre.
As further evidence of his pride for MTSU, Bob recently made an significant impact by establishing two new scholarship endowments through an estate gift, as well as supporting WMOT:
- Robert Evin Pickard History Scholarship
- John M. Pickard, Jr. Memorial Scholarship in Theatre
- Support for WMOT, MTSU’s radio station
A Nashville native and world traveler, Bob has served in the Peace Corps, worked in refugee programs across the globe, taught history for more than 20 years, including at MTSU, and participated in national political campaigns for decades, with his service for Al Gore Sr., first as a volunteer and later as a staff member.
Having preserved his efforts as the Robert Evins Pickard Papers, Bob donated archival collection of personal correspondence, audio cassettes of lectures, family photographs, and Gore campaign materials to The Albert Gore Research Center at MTSU.
What inspired his gifts to MTSU? Honoring legacies and supporting future scholars. After losing his first wife, Mila, of 41 years to cancer in 2020, Bob first sought to support his family, including his 11 nieces and nephews, before deciding to create scholarships.
“I always wanted to have a scholarship [at MTSU] and leave some kind of legacy behind that I was here, and somebody can get an education,” said Bob. His history scholarship benefits two institutions by giving preference to MTSU students who also hold a degree from Tennessee State University. He hopes it will help attract and retain quality students in the history department.
“[The scholarship] will be with the students for a long time. Hopefully it will help people. I think we need more and better history education in this country, and more and better history preservation and civic education as well.”
For the MTSU Theatre scholarship, Bob chose to honor his cousin, John M. Pickard, a well-known character actor who worked extensively in film and television, often in Westerns. As Bob explains, “He often played a cavalryman because he could ride really well. He had been with horses all his life. He was a real-life cowboy, basically.”
John grew up in Rutherford County, briefly attended MTSU (then MTSTC) in the 1930s, and then pursued a career in motion pictures. He was best known for his role in the 1950s TV series Boots and Saddles. He also appeared in numerous films from the late ’40s to the ’70s, including several John Wayne movies such as True Grit, Chisum, and Wake of the Red Witch.
Much of Bob’s research and documents related to John’s career, including one of his film scripts, have also been donated to the Gore Center’s collections.
As a child, Bob loved watching his cousin on television and proudly telling friends he was related to the famous cowboy. When they doubted him, he could prove it with prized Boots and Saddles comic books featuring his cavalryman cousin, Captain Shank Adams, on the cover.
The theatre scholarship preserves the memory of John Pickard and, as Bob envisions, will empower future generations of actors, directors, and producers in MTSU’s Department of Theatre and Dance.
Returning to campus for a tour in November 2025, Bob reflected on his own MTSU experience. He shared that the University was “his salvation” as a young adult following a difficult childhood. He was especially inspired by international relations professor Jack Turner. “He was one of the best professors I ever had. He was very encouraging.”
Bob later supported the establishment of the Jack Justin Turner Scholarship for international relations students in what is now the Department of Political and Global Affairs.
During his senior year, Bob served as chairman of the Ideas and Issues speakers committee, broadening his worldview through exposure to prominent writers, political leaders, and public figures invited to campus—including author David Halberstam, political activist Ralph Nader, and psychiatrist Dr. Alvin Poussaint.
Bob also recalled fond memories of concerts and theatre productions during his time at MTSU. “If there’s a place I’m going to leave a legacy, this is a good place to do it. I think the history scholarship will help two schools.”
His generosity will support Blue Raiders for generations to come. Planned gifts, such as bequests or charitable trusts, provide meaningful ways to make a future impact at MTSU.
To learn more about making a gift to support programs in the College of Liberal Arts, contact Development Director Meredith Kerr at 615-898-5223 or meredith.kerr@mtsu.edu.
– Brian Delaney, MTSU Advancement Division Communications
