Three Marshall University freshmen from Raleigh, Mingo and Kanawha counties in West Virginia have been awarded the Friends of Coal Scholarships for 2012.
The recipients are Marva Virtiena Lewis of Beckley, Christopher George Robinson of Chattaroy and Erinn Whitney Rodriguez of Gallagher.
Lewis is a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Raleigh County and will major in Pre-Science/Pre-Med; Robinson is a graduate of Mingo Central High School in Mingo County and will major in Pre-Science/Pre-Med; and Rodriguez is a graduate of Riverside High School in Kanawha County and will major in BSN Nursing.
Each student will receive a one-time award of $2,500, which is the result of the sponsorship provided by the Friends of Coal for the Marshall University-West Virginia University football series. Marshall plays WVU Saturday, Sept. 1, in Morgantown in the seventh and final game of the cross-state rival series known as the Friends of Coal Bowl.
Students eligible to receive the scholarship must have had high GPAs in high school, live in southern West Virginia and demonstrate financial need.
“The Friends of Coal from across the state are so proud of these great students from Raleigh, Mingo and Kanawha counties who represent the strength, tenacity and integrity that will help secure the future for our industry, our people and the State of West Virginia,” said Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association. “The accomplishments of these students exemplify the high standards of hard work, dedication and loyalty for which West Virginians are so well known. We’re so pleased to recognize their achievements.”
Steve Hensley, dean of student affairs at Marshall, said the Friends of Coal Scholarships have benefited both schools and all of the recipients in many ways.
“We thank the West Virginia Coal Association for their support of higher education,” Hensley said. “Eighteen Marshall University students have received the Friends of Coal Scholarships, dating back to 2007 when the first three were awarded. Everybody wins with these scholarships – the recipients, the university and the state.”
