
Ray Embry served alongside the original faculty and staff, nicknamed the “Steadies,” who helped establish Truckee Community College in 1971 in the Stead area. Thanks to the strong foundation provided by Ray and the “Steadies,” TMCC has grown and flourished through the years. Sadly, Ray passed away last year, but Ray’s memory and love of teaching lives on through an endowment he helped establish with the TMCC Foundation.
Ray and his former TMCC colleagues donated significantly to create the Steadies Endowed Scholarship. After his passing, his wife Sydney recently gave another generous gift for the scholarship. This scholarship supports students demonstrating financial need. Since its creation, the scholarship has provided scholarships to 12 students.
During Ray’s remarkable life, he served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia, enjoyed playing golf, and found his professional calling as an English teacher. He obtained his undergraduate and Master’s degrees at the University of Nevada and a PhD from the University of Oregon. He taught at the University of Texas and the University of Hawaii before returning to Nevada, where he taught English at TMCC for over 25 years.
During retirement, he felt the urge to return to the classroom and began teaching for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) in Ashland, Oregon. In preparation for each of the 50-plus OLLI classes he taught, Ray completed extensive research into subjects as varied as Classic Greek literature to the study of modern-day authors. At the close of each teaching session, students always clapped enthusiastically.
Ray is survived by his beloved life partner of 45 years, Sydney. His legacy lives on through the many students he taught and the scholarship he helped establish at TMCC.
For more information about the English Department, please visit their website or call 775-673-7092. To learn more about the TMCC Foundation and Grants Department, please call 775-674-7648.