Bowers Trust Endows Scholarship

The George W. Bowers Family Charitable Trust has created a named, endowed scholarship with the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc., through the federal Strengthening Institutions Endowment Challenge. As part of Strengthening Institutions, the gift from the Bowers Foundation will be matched dollar for dollar by the federal government creating a $50,000 endowment.

“As business leaders and professionals, the Bowers Board of Trustees understand and recognize the importance of a strong, stable endowment that will sustain the mission and vision of Fairmont State,” said Aaron L. Hawkins, Director of the Fairmont State Foundation Board.

“I want to thank them for their past and continued support of that mission and to commend them for their willingness to continue to take a leadership role in higher education and in our community.”

The endowed scholarship benefits full-time students enrolled in a four-year degree program at Fairmont State University. Students must have documented financial need, be enrolled in a four-year degree program and be a graduate of a Marion County or West Virginia high school with a minimum 2.5 GPA. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years.

“The Strengthening Institutions Endowment Challenge is a wonderful way for the Bowers Trust to double the power of our gift,” said Mark Morris, Trustee, George W. Bowers Family Charitable Trust.

“Fairmont State is entering a new era in fundraising and philanthropy and we are happy to provide this leadership gift in support of scholarship in higher education.”

The George W. Bowers Family Charitable Trust was established by Frances Bowers in 2000 for the benefit of specific public or charitable, civic and government purposes and organizations and civic improvement projects dedicated for exclusively public purposes in the City of Mannington, in Marion County or in the State of West Virginia. The Trust is managed by a Board of Directors, which is lead by Bruce Bandi and is administered by WesBanco Trust and Investment Services.

“By virtue of their past support and this current gift, The George W. Bowers Charitable Trust will join the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc. Column Society as a charter member in the President’s Circle of Wisdom,” said K. Jean Ahwesh, Executive Director, Fairmont State Foundation, Inc.

“Members of the President’s Circle of Wisdom recognize the vital importance of higher education. They embrace President Daniel Bradley’s and President Blair Montgomery’s vision of a campus that offers the benefit of state of the art technology and facilities and maintains the tradition of providing the highest level of personalized, individual service for students, faculty, staff and the alumni community.”

The mission of the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc., is to support, through ethical stewardship, the missions of Fairmont State University and Fairmont State Community & Technical College. The Foundation identifies, establishes and cultivates meaningful relationships with Fairmont State alumni and potential and existing funding constituencies to meet contributor needs while securing funds and supporters for priority objectives identified by its Board of Directors.

To participate in the Strengthening Institutions Endowment Challenge and receive a 100 percent federal match of your gift or for more information on other philanthropic gifting opportunities and Column Society membership, call (866) 372-ALUM or 367-4009. To make a gift online, click here.