The West Virginia University Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2015 Outstanding Philanthropy awards.
This year’s recipients are George and Camilla “Mimi” Bennett, Milan Puskar Outstanding Philanthropists; Joan Corson Stamp, Outstanding Volunteer Philanthropist; The Cline Family Foundation, Hazel Ruby McQuain Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation; and CONSOL Energy, Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation.
The awards, first presented in 2005, were established to honor donors who display exceptional generosity, commitment, leadership and proven records of outstanding civil and charitable devotion to WVU.
“We congratulate this year’s award winners for their willingness to give in so many ways from financial support to leadership to time and talent,” said Cindi Roth, WVU Foundation president and CEO. “They continue to go above and beyond in their commitment and generosity to the University, and have set a standard of excellence for others to model. We honor the recipients with sincere gratitude and a deep appreciation for all they do for WVU.”
George and Camilla “Mimi” Bennett
George and Camilla “Mimi” Bennett are being honored for their history of generosity and loyalty to WVU.
Mr. Bennett has been building innovation-driven businesses for more than 40 years. In 2011, he co-founded Good Measures, LLC, a provider of registered dietician services, and currently serves as its chairman and CEO.
A native of Morgantown, Mr. Bennett earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from WVU in 1967, and continued his education at Carnegie Mellon University where he earned both his master’s and doctorate degrees in industrial administration.
Mr. Bennett served as a member of the Grace Commission in the 1980s, a panel created by former President Ronald Reagan to bring state-of-the-art business practices to federal government. He remains active in Washington in the ongoing health care reform debate.
Mr. Bennett serves, or has served, on the board of directors of a number of organizations, including the Care Continuum Alliance and the National Youth Science Foundation.
Mr. Bennett is a member of WVU’s Academy of Distinguished Alumni and WVU Distinguished Alumni Academy of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering. In 2011, he received an honorary degree from WVU. Last year, he was inducted into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Bennett is a member of the State of Minds National Campaign Committee and the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources Campaign Committee.
Mrs. Bennett’s business career began at the Putnam Management Company in the early 1970s and culminated at The Forum Corporation, where she oversaw product development building training programs for business in sales, service, management and leadership.
A graduate of Pine Manor College, Mrs. Bennett co-founded and chaired the board of the Trinity Boston Foundation, whose mission is to change the odds for at risk youth by preparing them for college. She is a member of Golden Seeds, one of the nation’s most active early stage investment firms, and is active in her local community.
The Bennett’s generous gifts to WVU have primarily benefitted the Statler College and the College of Business & Economics. They are members of the Woodburn Circle Society, the WVU Foundation’s highest level of donor recognition.
They reside in Brookline, Mass., and on Martha’s Vineyard.
Joan Corson Stamp
Joan Corson Stamp is being honored for her commitment and support of the University.
As the daughter of WVU Alma Mater composer Louis D. Corson, Mrs. Stamp has positively advocated for the University and has volunteered significant time and expertise in helping the institution reach its strategic goals.
Mrs. Stamp earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from WVU’s College of Business and Economics in 1973. She is an accomplished jewelry designer, devoted patron of her community, and an avid supporter of her alma mater.
Since June 1998, Mrs. Stamp has been a member of the WVU Foundation Board of Directors. She has served as chair of the Nominating and Governance, University Relations, Resource Development and Spend committees. She also co-chairs the Northern Panhandle Regional “State of Minds” Campaign Committee and serves as a member of the National Campaign Committee.
Together with her husband, U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp Jr., the Stamps have given generously to many causes at WVU, including the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, College of Law and the WVU Alumni Association.
Mrs. Stamp has routinely demonstrated exceptional leadership in engaging, coordinating and motivating others to become involved personally in working toward the advancement of WVU. She is the former chair of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center Gala, and former chair of the WVU Rosenbaum Family House Board of Advisors. Mrs. Stamp served on WVU’s College of Creative Arts Board of Visitors, and is a founding member of the Friends of the Art Museum of WVU.
In 2013, Mrs. Stamp was inducted into WVU’s Order of Vandalia, and in 2010, she and her husband were named Most Loyal West Virginians. The Stamps are members of the Foundation’s Woodburn Circle Society.
They reside in Wheeling.
Cline Family Foundation
The Cline Family Foundation is being recognized for its efforts to advance higher education and generosity to WVU.
The mission of The Cline Family Foundation (CFF) is to provide children and young adults the opportunity to develop their full potential by fostering their community, developmental growth, and entrepreneurial skills. The CFF seeks to transform lives by creating educational opportunities through innovative solutions.
At its inception in 2009, the CFF focused on providing college scholarships to talented young West Virginians with entrepreneurial aspirations. Since that time, CFF has broadened its support to include educational institutions and notable charitable organizations around the country. The core values of CFF intend to inspire and foster the talents of children and young adults in a manner that will have a lasting impact on individual and community development, regardless of any potential financial and geographical limitations. Educationally oriented, CFF’s domestic grants and community outreach programs have centered on working with universities, schools, afterschool programs and other foundations to provide funding to enable, enrich and engage students at all ages to have access to better education and greater opportunity, no matter what their financial backgrounds are.
The CFF was born out of coal entrepreneur Christopher Cline’s desire to give back to his home state of West Virginia and the communities that contributed to his success. Mr. Cline launched his career in the coal industry in 1980 at the age of 22. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, he began working as an underground coal miner in southern West Virginia. He quickly moved into management, where he learned to use unique tools to motivate his workforce to develop and run low-cost coal mining operations. In 1985, as his market knowledge deepened and he developed a reputation as a low-cost coal producer, Mr. Cline moved the company from its contract mining roots toward developing and operating its own mines, preparation plants, loading docks and coal sales arms. In 1990, he formed his energy development group, the Cline Group. The Cline Group was soon recognized across the industry as a reliable coal supplier, an excellent lessee, and a desired employer committed to the health and safety of its miners—characteristics that continue to drive its success today.
In 2011, The Cline Family Foundation made a significant investment in WVU through a generous gift benefitting the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the WVU School of Medicine. A portion of the contribution supported the new Basketball Practice Facility, which opened in 2012. The other portion of the gift, which qualified for matching funds from the state Research Trust Fund, established the Christopher Cline Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery. This endowed chair supports research in biological, translational, and/or clinical science in the discipline of orthopaedic surgery.
CONSOL Energy
CONSOL Energy is being honored for its charitable giving to WVU and commitment to enhance the areas and people it serves.
A publicly-traded producer of natural gas and coal, CONSOL is one of the leading diversified energy companies in the nation. The company is one of the largest independent natural gas exploration, development and production companies, with operations centered in the major shale formations of the Appalachian basin. Its premium coals are sold to electricity generators and steel makers, both domestically and internationally.
Since 1864, CONSOL has powered the nation with affordable, abundant, reliable domestic energy. Today, CONSOL’s employees help generate the fuels – natural gas and coal – that comprise two thirds of the nation’s power supply. Its energy supports the American way of life by helping deliver electricity 24/7, creating family-sustaining jobs and keeping our nation competitive in the global marketplace.
CONSOL Energy is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and a good neighbor. The company empowers the communities in which it operates by investing in local organizations, providing educational opportunities, developing partnerships and mobilizing resources to connect people and inspire positive, substantive change. Its corporate giving spans a variety of important causes, including education, public safety, youth organizations, community organizations and arts and culture.
A member of the Foundation’s Woodburn Circle Society, CONSOL’s contributions to WVU have spanned more than three decades, and benefitted many areas including the College of Law, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and Athletics.
-WVUF-
bn/6/4/2015
Check http://wvutoday.wvu.edu daily for the latest news from the University.
Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.