Three Marshall University freshmen from southern West Virginia have been awarded the Friends of Coal scholarships for 2007.
The recipients, all high school honor graduates, are Jeremy E. Lloyd, a 2007 graduate of Princeton Senior High School in Mercer County; Odessa C. Compton, a 2007 graduate of Chapmanville High School in Logan County; and Krista B. Ratliff, a 2007 graduate of Matewan High School in Mingo County.
Three Marshall University freshmen from southern West Virginia have been awarded the Friends of Coal scholarships for 2007.
The recipients, all high school honor graduates, are Jeremy E. Lloyd,
a 2007 graduate of Princeton Senior High School in Mercer County;
Odessa C. Compton, a 2007 graduate of Chapmanville High School in Logan
County; and Krista B. Ratliff, a 2007 graduate of Matewan High School
in Mingo County. Lloyd is in Marshall’s pre-science program, Compton
is in pre-health professions and Ratliff is in pre-nursing. Each
student receives a $2,500 scholarship. The scholarships are a result of
the sponsorship provided by the Friends of Coal for the Marshall-West
Virginia football series. Students eligible to receive the scholarship
must have had high GPAs in high school, live in southern West Virginia
and demonstrate financial need.
“It is absolutely fabulous to have three young West Virginians from
coal-producing counties whose achievements and performance are so
outstanding receive the first Friends of Coal scholarships,” said Bill
Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association. “It is critical
that we do everything possible to keep these talented students in their
home counties after graduation. The majors they are pursuing are so
very important to providing a strong and dependable infrastructure for
the continued mining of West Virginia coal.”
Steve Hensley, Marshall’s dean of student affairs, said it is
appropriate that the university honor three of its students from the
coal mining region Marshall serves as recipients of the Friends of Coal
scholarships. “Clearly, our state’s economy is reliant on coal for
employment, tax revenue and many other benefits, so we are happy to
show our support in this manner,” Hensley said. Provost Sarah Denman
said Marshall is dedicated to providing opportunities for education and
success for its students. “Scholarships are one of the most important
ways for Marshall to reach out and make sure that an education is
possible for those who seek a better future,” Denman said. “Any time we
add additional scholarships to the citizens of this wonderful state is
a good day. This is a day when all West Virginians win."
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