We are delighted to share several photos and a recap of the Community Foundation’s Scholars & Donors Reception that was held on May 11th at the Purple Iris. It was a great event with over 130 people attending — including 50+ students, dozens of parents, Community Foundation board members, and several donors. The staff at the Purple Iris did a splendid job of accommodating us and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time.
Susan Hawkens Whalton spoke on behalf of the donors who established scholarship funds at the Community Foundation and Shepherd University sophomore Jillian O’Connell, who is studying to become an educator, spoke from the point of view of students who receive the scholarships. Special thanks to them and to our board members who presented the scholarship letters to the students.
Scholarship Coordinator Amy Pancake was able to include a brief bio of each student receiving a scholarship and she nailed the pronunciation of every single name (no small feat when names included Insixiengnmay, Kubovicik, and Yadara).
Here are photos of many of the 60 students who received scholarships from the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation in 2017. A total of $98,350 was awarded! Thank you to one and all for making this such a resounding success.
















































