Foundation

Donors to West Virginia University’s inaugural Day of Giving on Wednesday (Nov. 8) could see their investment grow immediately thanks to other generous University supporters. Several alumni and friends have issued challenge and participation matches for the 24-hour online fundraising effort designed to raise dollars for the University’s greatest priorities and opportunities, as well as scholarships and unrestricted funds at both the University and unit specific level.

A dozen WVU social work students have received the Social Work Pay It Forward scholarship, which has been in place for a decade. This scholarship is made possible by 120 donors that who have given 280 gifts totaling $110,000. The idea behind the scholarship is to encourage recipients of the scholarship to not pay back the money given, but to instead pay it forward to support students with financial need.

West Virginia University graduate Verl O. Purdy attributes much of his success to the education and opportunities he received as a student at WVU in the 1960s. The Poca native, who founded the largest agricultural data analysis and marketing company in the world, and his wife, Sandra, are now giving back to WVU with a $5 million donation, announced Friday (Nov. 3).

Each year thousands of West Virginia youths and other visitors travel to West Virginia Univeristy Jackson’s Mill to participate in 4-H camps where they learn valuable leadership and mentoring skills, while forging lifelong friendships. Part of that journey includes participation in the West Virginia State 4-H Camp Council Circle, a symbolic center of spirit for campers.

West Virginia University has named Garrett Burgess and Savannah Lusk the 2017 Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer. A Mountaineer Week tradition, the award recognizes student’s exemplary academic achievement and extracurricular involvement.

A scholarship at the West Virginia University College of Law, endowed by The BrickStreet Foundation and honoring Charleston attorney Thomas V. Flaherty, was announced Friday at the University’s Board of Governors meeting.

West Virginia University Health Sciences has received a renewable grant of more than $100,000 to assist its effort in the fight against diabetes. The funding comes from the Stoy K. Whipkey and Twila O. Whipkey Fund, established as a result of the couple’s family-related experience with diabetes—their son’s diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.

The 2017 honorees are Dr. Ronald Wilkinson, Most Loyal West Virginian; Jon Hammock, Most Loyal Alumni Mountaineer; Mannon Gallegly, Most Loyal Faculty/Professional Staff Mountaineer; and Barbara Bodkins, Most Loyal Classified Staff Mountaineer. The group will be honored during halftime ceremonies of Saturday’s (Oct. 28) WVU-Oklahoma State football game.

The Mountaineer tradition runs deep for the Gaziano family of Charleston, West Virginia. Dominic Gaziano, Rosalie Gaziano and their five sons all graduated from West Virginia University’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, totaling 28 years of enrollment.

One day. The words suggest a moment and a future. Both are being emphasized on Nov. 8 as West Virginia University is reaching out to students, alumni and friends, encouraging them to make a gift – especially ones that go to the general, unrestricted needs of the University and its schools and colleges. The WVU Foundation is organizing the University’s inaugural Day of Giving, 24-hour online fundraising effort, as a simple way for University supporters to contribute to the Foundation’s “State of Minds” Campaign.