2014 McClain Presidential Scholarship Winners Announced

For the sixth consecutive year, three West Virginia high school seniors have been named as recipients of Fairmont State University’s premier academic scholarship, the Charles J. McClain Presidential Scholarship.

The following students have been selected as 2014 scholarship winners:

• Kaitlynn Davis of Clarksburg, the daughter of James and Lynn Davis, is a student at Liberty High School in Harrison County. She plans to major in Elementary Education at FSU.
• Jessica Dixon of Fairmont, daughter of Brian and Kris Dixon, is a student at North Marion High School in Marion County. She plans to major in Nursing at FSU.
• Michaela Murphy of Glenville, the daughter of Michael and Crystal Murphy, is a student at Gilmer County High School in Gilmer County.  She plans to major in Forensic Science at FSU.

“Fairmont State University offers many opportunities for high-achieving students, including our three scholarship winners. I look forward to welcoming them to our campus community,” said Dr. Maria Rose, FSU President. “At FSU, we take seriously our commitment to give our students exactly what they need to be successful in our changing global economy. Fairmont State University is a place where teaching and learning matter and every student can ‘be First.’ By ‘be First,’ we mean FSU provides students with chances to create their own ‘firsts’ based on their personal goals. All students should have the chance to expand their horizons.”

The competitive scholarship covers tuition and fees, room and board and a $1,000 textbook stipend. The high school of each of the winners will be presented with a plaque featuring its student during the school’s spring awards assembly.

The McClain Scholars will receive priority registration for Orientation and will be extended an offer for membership in the Honors Program. FSU’s Honors Program provides a place for students to increase their ability to think critically and to communicate effectively, as well as travel in the U.S. and abroad.

“The Office of Admissions and Recruitment is very pleased with the highly qualified candidates this year who interviewed for the Charles J. McClain Presidential Scholarship, our top scholarship,” said Amie Fazalare, Director of Admissions and Recruitment.   

To qualify, students must be current high school seniors who live in West Virginia, have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.5, and an ACT composite of 26 or SAT composite of 1190. They must also be PROMISE Scholarship recipients.

Charles J. McClain Scholars were chosen based on their academic qualifications, community service activities, leadership involvement, a 450-word essay and personal interview. Students who receive the Scholarship must maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA and must maintain their PROMISE Scholarship eligibility. The deadline to apply for the Charles J. McClain Scholarship is in February each year.

Students from 17 counties in West Virginia were selected as finalists for FSU’s most prestigious scholarship. Each finalist will receive the PROMISE Beyond Scholarship, which covers the cost of tuition for four years, as well as a $1,500 runner-up scholarship for four years.

The following students were named as finalists:

• Rebecca Pendry of Gassaway, the daughter of Ted and Cindy Pendry, attends Braxton County High School in Braxton County.
• Jessica Gardner of Oak Hill, the daughter of James and Kelli Gardner, attends Oak Hill High School in Fayette County.
• Carolyn Golden-Burrows of Buckhannon, the daughter of Barry Burrows Jr. and Gina Huffman, attends Buckhannon-Upshur High School in Upshur County.
• Alec Moran of Shinnston, the son of Bryan and Shari Moran, attends Lincoln High School in Harrison County.
• Hannah French of Shenandoah Junction, the daughter of Craig and Lisa French, attends Jefferson High School in Jefferson County.
• Sequoia Connolly of Fairmont, the daughter of John Connolly and Stephanie Cheek, attends Fairmont Senior High School in Marion County.
• Hannah Haller of Barrackville, the daughter of Robert and Karen Haller, attends North Marion High School in Marion County.
• Mattison Koch of Fairmont, the daughter of Curt and Leslie Skidmore, attends Fairmont Senior High School in Marion County.
• Kayla Mikush of Monongah, the daughter of William and Deann Mikush, attends North Marion High School in Marion County.
• Shelby Rodgers of Point Pleasant, the daughter of Angela Rodgers, attends Point Pleasant High School in Mason County.
• Kathryn Ferrebee of Morgantown, the daughter of Michael and Kimberly Ferrebee, attends Morgantown High School in Monongalia County.
• Heather Blankenship of Ballard, the daughter of Roger and Syndia Blankenship, attends James Monroe High School in Monroe County.
• Joshua Angalich of Wheeling, the son of George and Lisa Angalich, attends Wheeling Park High School in Ohio County.
• Kylie Clatterbuck of Wheeling, the daughter of Thomas and Kathleen Clatterbuck, attends Wheeling Park High School in Ohio County.
• Matthew Clemens of Kingwood, the son of Stephen and Angela Clemens, attends Preston High School in Preston County.
• Matthew Myers of Reedsville, the son of Richard and Lisa Myers, attends Preston High School in Preston County.
• Alison Pritt of Terra Alta, the daughter of Paul Pritt and Lisa Miller, attends Preston High School in Preston County.
• Candace Legg of Redhouse, the daughter of Fred and Mary Legg, attends Buffalo High School in Putnam County.
• Jennifer Perkins of Lester, the daughter of Timothy and Jane Perkins, attends Independence High School in Raleigh County.
• Shawna Graham of Flemington, the daughter of David and Robin Graham, attends Grafton High School in Taylor County.
• Karsyn Keener of Flemington, the daughter of John and Kathy Keener, is homeschooled.
• Amanda Dawson of Sistersville, the daughter of William and Christine Dawson, attends Tyler Consolidated High School in Tyler County.
• Ethan Ratkovich of Vienna, the son of Daniel and Rebecca Ratkovich, attends Parkersburg High School in Wood County.

For more information, visit www.fairmontstate.edu or call (800) 641-5678 or (304) 367-4892. For more information about scholarship opportunities at FSU, visit http://www.fairmontstate.edu/finaid/funding/scholarships.

Charles J. McClain Presidential ScholarshipAmie FazalareOffice of Admissions and RecruitmentPROMISE ScholarshipPROMISE BeyondOffice of Financial Aid