West Liberty University honored Foundation Scholarship benefactors and students receiving these scholarships at a noon, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, luncheon, hosted by the West Liberty University Foundation and the Office of Development.

Jillian Laslo, Shadyside, Ohio; Cassandra Nowery, Morgantown, W.Va. and Jerimy Mask, Richmond, Va. spoke at the luncheon.

“I would like to personally thank all the scholarship donors for their commitment and support of the University,” said President Robin C. Capehart at the opening of the event. He also explained how meaningful a scholarship was to him when he was in college and asked the students to turn to the donor near them and express their gratitude.

Approximately $400,000 in privately funded scholarship awards were distributed to 190 students during the 2013-2014 Academic Year. Privately funded scholarships represent just a portion of the $5 million dollars in scholarships and grants available to students at West Liberty University.

The luncheon was held in the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex (ASRC).  It also offered donors a chance to meet the students who benefit from their assistance.

“We are so happy to honor our scholarship students and thank the generous donors who provide the financial backing for our Foundation Scholarship Programs,” said Chris Carder, executive director of the WLU Foundation.

Three students representing various educational programs spoke and explained what their scholarship meant to them. Cassandra Nowery, Morgantown, W.Va., recipient of the Dr. E.J. Joseph Dental Hygiene Scholarship; Jerimy Mask, Richmond, Va., recipient of the Zach Amedro Scholarship and Jillian Laslo, Shadyside, Ohio, recipient of the Schnitzler/Hartenstein Scholarship, were the featured student speakers.

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 — the College of Arts and Communication, the College of Education, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Science and the Gary E. West College of Business — offer more than 60 majors and 30 programs that are nationally recognized or accredited. Graduate programs include the Master of Arts in Education and the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program.

For more information on WLU, please visit westliberty.edu or call 1.866.WESTLIB.