WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Dec. 3, 2014 — West Liberty University honored Foundation Scholarship benefactors and donors at a Wednesday, Dec. 3 luncheon, hosted by the West Liberty University Foundation and the Office of Development.
“I would like to personally thank all our committed scholarship donors for their continual support of the University and our students,” said President Robin C. Capehart at the opening of the event.
The luncheon was held in the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex (ASRC) and was attended by donors, faculty, staff and students. It also offered donors a chance to spend time with some of the students who benefit from their assistance.
“We are so happy to honor our generous donors who provide the financial backing for our Foundation Scholarship Programs,” said Executive Director Chris Carder, who leads the Foundation office.
Two students representing various educational programs spoke and explained what their scholarship meant to them. Hayden Blazer, recipient of the Gary E. West College of Business Scholarship and Lara Wilhelm, recipient of the Donald L. Pahl, Sr. Music Scholarship were the featured student speakers.
Blazer is an accounting major from Glen Dale and a freshman. He explained how much he valued the scholarship and the fact that a successful businessman like Gary West had faith in him. He promised to continue to work hard academically and repay Mr. West by doing his best in achieving his degree and sharing his enthusiasm with campus.
Wilhelm is a secondary music education major from West Alexander, Pa. and remarked on how meaningful the scholarship is to her. Because of the award, she was able to save money for a new trumpet that she needed for her music studies. Since she is completing two majors, both the secondary music education major plus a music performance major, she also is grateful for the encouragement offered by Cindy Stickley, donor of the Donald L. Pahl, Sr. Scholarship.
Stickley created the scholarship in 1999 in loving memory of her husband Donald L. Pahl Sr., who passed away in 1998 at the age of 64. Donald was a 1958 graduate of WLU, earning his bachelor’s in music education on the Hilltop. Though Cindy is not a graduate of WLU, she is active in supporting the university in many ways and serves on the WLU Foundation Board, the Development Committee and the College of Arts & Communication Advisory Board.
Stickley was further honored by Executive Director of Development Angela Zambito Hill, who presented Stickley with a gift in recognition of her support for WLU.
West Liberty University is a forward-looking, four-year public university steeped in a rich heritage as West Virginia’s oldest institution of higher education. Five colleges and a School of Professional Studies offer more than 60 majors and 30 programs that are nationally recognized or accredited. Graduate programs include the Master of Arts in Education, the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and the new Master of Professional Studies degrees.
For more information on WLU, please call 1.866.WESTLIB.