WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Jan. 8, 2016 — One of the best things money can buy is a college education. Two alumni and local dental professionals, David G. Edwards, D.D.S. and his wife, Linda S. Edwards, believe this statement and were pleased recently to make a significant gift to their alma mater, West Liberty University.
From left Dental Hygiene Program Director Stephanie Meredith, Linda and David Edwards and Dean of the College of Sciences Robert Kreisberg discuss the new scholarships.
“We are so grateful to David and Linda for their generous support. Scholarships mean everything to students as they balance the cost of higher education and their career plans. Having received scholarships themselves, the Edwards are aware of the power of scholarships and show their devotion to West Liberty University in this significant way. I thank them for this gift,” said Vice President of Institutional Advancement Jason Koegler.
The $50,000 gift will endow two annual scholarships to be awarded to both a biology student and a dental hygiene student.
Dr. Edwards has maintained a private dental practice in Wellsburg since 1973. His wife, a registered dental hygienist, also is a part of the practice.
David Edwards graduated from WLU in 1964 with a bachelor’s in biology. He then went on to earn a Master of Arts in Biology in 1969 and a D.D.S. in 1973 at West Virginia University.
He served the WLU School of Dentistry as a clinical assistant professor from 1996 to 2005, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Bob Wise to a five-year term on the West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners, followed by a second five-year appointment by then-Gov. Joe Manchin. He served the board as its president for three years.
In 2013, he was named one of the WVU School of Dentistry’s Distinguished Alumni and has also received the Pierre Fauchard Academy’s Outstanding Dentist Award.
He also is a member and has served various offices the American Dental Association, the West Virginia Dental Association, the Wheeling District Dental Society, the Academy of General Dentistry, the Academy of Operative Dentistry, the West Virginia Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of Gold Foil Operators, among others. He is an active member of the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners and the Southern Regional Testing Agency and a fellow of both the American and International College of Dentists.
He has been involved in many local community activities throughout the years, including the Wellsburg Lions Club, the United Way, the Hancock-Brooke-Ohio Victim Assistant Program, and the Wellsburg First Presbyterian Church.
Linda Edwards serves on the WLU Foundation Board. She earned an associate degree in dental hygiene and a Bachelor of Science degree at WLU in 1964. She also earned a master’s degree at West Virginia University.
She has worked as a Registered Dental Hygienist for 52 years and served nine years as an adjunct faculty member with WLU’s dental hygiene department. Currently, she works part-time at her husband’s dental office in Wellsburg.
A resident of Wellsburg, she grew up in New Martinsville. She is active in the First Presbyterian Church of Wellsburg, serving as a deacon. She is a past president and current treasurer of PEO Chapter N in Wellsburg, a philanthropic organization that promotes opportunity for women.
The Edwards gift was made in conjunction with the Scholarships Make a Difference Campaign at WLU. For more information on supporting WLU, contact Koegler at 304.336.8888 or via email at jkoegler@westliberty.edu.
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