Firsthand experiences motivate Hazel Ruby McQuain Scholarship recipients to make a difference in West Virginia

The 2025 Hazel Ruby McQuain Graduate Scholarship recipients are drawing upon firsthand experiences for motivation to make a difference in West Virginia.

Samantha Moon, Zachary Ellis, Leah Peck, Birkely Richards and Leah Rogers have been awarded the scholarship, which provides $20,000 annually for up to three years.

The scholarships are administered by the West Virginia University Office of Graduate Education and Life in partnership with the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.

McQuain invested in community development in Morgantown and surrounding areas through her involvement with health and wellness programs, education and recreation. In the spirit of honoring her legacy of service, scholarship recipients must have a strong academic record, be committed to scholarly student or professional work addressing the needs of West Virginians and exhibit strong leadership in public service.

Recipient Samantha Moon is a graduate of Romney’s Hampshire High School with a background in youth camp counseling and academic tutoring. She earned her undergraduate degree at WVU in psychology.

“Ultimately, I envision a future where behavior analysis plays a pivotal role in creating a more equitable and just society by shifting the focus from punishment to prevention and rehabilitation,” Moon said.

As a WVU psychology graduate student, Moon will work in the crime and delinquency lab to find behavioral markers that lead to high rates of imprisonment and recidivism. Since West Virginia has one of the highest youth incarceration rates in the country, her goal is to address the environment and create new contingencies to change the future of young people.

Greenbrier East High School graduate Zachary Ellis will use his scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in business administration. The student leader, dedicated volunteer and STEM mentor has a vision for translating emerging research into meaningful, real-world applications that encourage economic and workforce development. Ellis has an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from WVU.

“For me, public service isn’t just a responsibility, it is a calling,” Ellis said. “At the core of my experiences is a commitment to service that elevates and strengthens West Virginia. Our state needs leaders who can rise to the moment and help create a better tomorrow for all of West Virginia. I hope, with an MBA, I can become one of those leaders who can help our state reach its full potential.”

Ellis is focused on positioning the state at the forefront of the energy, biotechnology and manufacturing industries.

Through training and mentorship, Leah Peck works with communities and organizations to foster a greater understanding of the effects of trauma among children. The Fayetteville High School graduate, former foster parent and children’s advocate leads through service and resilience. Peck completed the social work undergraduate degree program at WVU and is pursuing her master’s degree at the University.

“While I have always had a social worker’s heart, my journey as a foster parent navigating complex systems on behalf of children helped me recognize my ability to lead and effect change,” Peck said.

Peck recently started the community-rooted initiative Nurture WV, with a mission of strengthening families and building protective, trauma-informed communities.

Ethiopian-born Birkely Richards came to the United States when she was adopted at age 7. The Robert C. Byrd High School graduate earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio, and will study clinical mental health counseling at Shippensburg University.

“The challenges of learning a new language, adapting to an unfamiliar culture, and catching up academically required perseverance and determination,” Richards said. “However, these experiences also shaped my passion for service, advocacy and forming community.”

She said she hopes to gain the expertise to develop community-based mental health initiatives, address trauma and identity struggles, and work toward policy changes that prioritize mental wellness for all residents.

Education, science and community are priorities for Leah Rogers, who will pursue a master’s degree in nutritional and food sciences at WVU. The McKinley Senior High School graduate is a transplanted West Virginian originally from Ohio, much like the scholarship’s namesake. Rogers has a bachelor’s degree in human nutrition and foods from WVU.

“Learning how nutrition affects communities, especially those in underserved areas where childhood obesity rates soar, has inspired the direction of my research,” Rogers said. “Along with my volunteer experiences in the clinical nutrition department at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, I’ve been inspired to pursue a career in pediatric clinical nutrition, where I can help children and families by providing them with education and support.”

Rogers has narrowed the focus of her research toward child nutrition in schools. She and fellow researchers are studying the role registered dietitians can play in educating community stakeholders including children, families, and school administrators on current policy and policy changes.

McQuain’s donations to Morgantown and WVU established programs, recreational facilities, University chairs and more. Her generosity includes an $8 million gift to support the construction of J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, which is named in memory of her husband, and a recent $50 million gift to the WVU Cancer Institute supporting the construction of a new, state-of-the-art cancer hospital in Morgantown. She died in 2002 at the age of 93.

-WVU-

sw/7/30/25

MEDIA CONTACT: Sunshine Wiles
Communications Specialist
WVU Foundation
304-284-4018; swiles@wvuf.org

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