The West Virginia University Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2010 Outstanding Philanthropy awards.

The awards honor donors who display exceptional generosity, commitment, leadership and proven records of outstanding civic and charitable devotion to the University.

This year’s recipients are John and Joyce Allen, Outstanding Philanthropists; Betty J. Puskar, Outstanding Volunteer Philanthropist; Hugh I. Shott, Jr. Foundation, Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation; and Landmark, a Halliburton Company, Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation.

“We congratulate this year’s honorees for their willingness to give to our University in so many ways from financial and in-kind support, to time, effort and expertise,” said R. Wayne King, president and CEO of the WVU Foundation. “The day-to-day excellence at WVU is possible as a result of their caring and commitment.”

The awards were first given in 2005 to mark the WVU Foundation’s 50th anniversary.

John and Joyce Allen

John and Joyce Allen of Coalton are being honored for their commitment and generosity to WVU.

Their support includes the establishment of the Sara C. & James F. Allen Comprehensive Cancer Research Funds, the John & Joyce Allen Experimental Therapeutic Fund, and the Joyce Allen Endowment for the Study of Italian Art and Culture. Additional support has included gifts to the Mountaineer Athletic Club, Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center and the renovation of Blaney House.

Mr. Allen is chairman of the board and treasurer of J.F. Allen Company and ALCON, LLC. He is a former member of the WVU Foundation Board of Directors. Mrs. Allen is a retired educator, and former member of the WVU College of Creative Arts Board of Visitors.

The Allens are charter members of the Foundation’s Woodburn Circle Society.

Betty J. Puskar

Betty Puskar has been a loyal and generous supporter of many causes at WVU and throughout the Morgantown community, and a tireless advocate and volunteer for the organizations she believes in.

In 1994, after making several trips to Houston, Texas, for breast cancer treatment, Ms. Puskar was inspired to make a donation that established the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center at WVU. The Center now provides comprehensive, all-encompassing breast care in West Virginia. She followed that commitment by establishing the annual Betty Puskar Futures Golf Tournament and more recently, the annual Betty Puskar Breast Care Center Fashion Show to raise funds and awareness for the Center.

Among the Morgantown area community initiatives that have benefited from Ms. Puskar’s generosity and active support are Monongalia General Hospital, Dorsey’s Knob Development Fund and Greater Morgantown Community Trust.

Ms. Puskar currently serves on the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center Board of Advisors, and is a charter member of the Foundation’s Woodburn Circle Society.

Hugh I. Shott, Jr. Foundation

The Hugh I. Shott, Jr. Foundation’s generosity has had a significant impact on WVU, including the establishment of two of the first endowed chairs at the University—the Jane McDermott Shott Chair of Ophthalmology and the Shott Chair of Journalism.

The Shott Foundation was established in 1984 by publisher Hugh Ike Shott, Jr. for the betterment of his hometown of Bluefield and the state. Mr. Shott spent more than 60 years with the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, the newspaper founded by his father in 1896. His nephew John C. Shott, a Bluefield businessman and emeritus member of the WVU Foundation Board of Directors, is a trustee of the Shott Foundation.

Shott Foundation grants also have benefitted the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Center at WVU, WVU Jackson’s Mill and WVU’s Health Sciences Technology Academy.

In addition to WVU, the Shott Foundation has supported Concord College, Marshall University and Bluefield State College, as well as the West Virginia State Museum Board and countless projects in the Bluefield area.

Landmark, a Halliburton Company

Landmark is being recognized for its generosity toward and close working relationship with WVU’s Department of Geology and Geography.

Purchased by Halliburton in 1996, Landmark develops industry-leading software used to find and drill for oil, and analyze the economic return.

Since 2001, the company has made frequent in-kind gifts to WVU of state-of-the-art geophysical modeling and processing software for instructional and research use. These software solutions contribute significantly to the potential for sophisticated energy research and education in the Department, while helping to retain exceptional faculty and attract talented graduate students.

The WVU Foundation is a private nonprofit corporation that generates, receives and administers private gifts for the benefit of WVU.

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CONTACT: Bill Nevin, WVU Foundation
304-284-4056

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