Melinda and John Hale with their grandson, Jacob.
A gift of $25,000 from Melinda and John Hale to West Virginia University’s College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, will provide financial aid to CPASS students, with a preference for students from Mineral County and transfer students from Potomac State College.
“The Hale’s gift will offer excellent opportunities for students wanting to further their education. Increasing scholarship support will help our most promising students pursue their degrees without undue financial burden, especially those in the Physical Education Teacher Education program,” said Dana D. Brooks, CPASS dean and professor of physical education, “On behalf of the college, I want to thank the Hales for their generosity and leadership,”
John Hale leveraged five years of experience at an early age and had the drive and foresight to launch their own business, Mineral Fabrication Machine Co., Inc. in Keyser. Hale quickly demonstrated a keen ability to identify and develop creative solutions to solve building, industrial and manufacturing problems.
While John launched their business, Melinda taught physical education and science as a substitute teacher, and then full-time at Keyser Middle School and six years at the local high school.
The couple grew up in southern West Virginia. John went straight to work out of high school, and his job took them initially to Kentucky and then soon to Keyser, where he and Melinda opened their company 40 years ago. The company now employs approximately 110 people and has 50,000 square feet under roof at a local industrial park.
“We’re pleased to help support teachers and their training while emphasizing and promoting good health through physical activity,” Hale, who graduated with her MS in physical education in 1982 from WVU, explained.
The gift was made in conjunction with "A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia's University" which runs through December.
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CONTACT: Kim Cameon, WVU CPASS
304.293.0827, kimberly.cameon@mail.wvu.edu
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