More than $1 million is going to assist flood victims in southern West Virginia thanks to West Virginia University alumni and friends who met a $500,000 challenge match by alumnus Ken Kendrick.

On June 29, Kendrick, a Princeton native, said he would donate up to $500,000 to the WVU Foundation for flood relief efforts in a dollar-for-dollar challenge match. To date, more than 1,600 donors have given more than $502,000.

“The generosity of Mountaineers never ceases to amaze me, even though it does not surprise me,” President Gordon Gee said. “Ken has always supported West Virginia University, and is to be congratulated for initiating the challenge, as are the hundreds of people who stepped up to more than meet the goal. Mountaineers are known for their generosity, compassion and support of their fellow West Virginians.”

On June 23, torrential rains over parts of West Virginia caused devastating flooding in many counties, resulting in loss of life and severe damage to entire communities. Many WVU students and their families were affected by the storms and high water, leaving some homeless and others with extensive personal property loss.

Contributions will go to funds established by WVU Extension Service and WVU Financial Aid for emergency relief. Extension, the University’s lead outreach agency, is providing assistance to residents in those areas impacted by the flooding. In 2013, the Kenneth D. and Carolyn T. Gray Emergency Fund was created through the WVU Foundation to assist current students who experience a sudden financial hardship, including natural disasters such as flooding. It is administered through the Financial Aid Office. Gifts to one or both funds still can be made at https://www.mountaineerconnection.com/WVFloodRelief and selecting from the “Designation” drop-down.

Donations also can be mailed to the WVU Foundation at One Waterfront Place, 7th floor, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV, 26507-1650. Make checks payable to WVU Foundation and be sure to include “WV Flood Relief” on the memo line.

“Frankly, the response from donors to our flood relief efforts has been beyond our wildest expectations,” said Greg McCracken, director of the Foundation’s University Fund, and co-organizer of the flood relief effort. “This again is proof that our alumni and friends step up when there’s a need. We extend a sincere thank you to all donors, and especially to Ken for his wonderful generosity.”

Kendrick, of Paradise Valley, Arizona, is managing general partner of Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. He graduated from WVU in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Kendrick is a member of the WVU Foundation Board of Directors and WVU’s Academy of Distinguished Alumni.

-WVU-

bn/09/12/16

CONTACT: Bill Nevin; WVU Foundation
304.284.4056; wnevin@wvuf.org

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