WVU at Parkersburg Foundation honors college's first development director.

CONTACT PERSON:  Jenny Keup, Executive Director, WVU at Parkersburg Foundation, 304-424-8340.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The WVU at Parkersburg Foundation expressed appreciation to its first development director recently at a reception at the college.

More than 60 friends and former co-workers honored Elmer Blankmann for his lifetime contributions to higher education and for his work as the college's first development director more than 30 years ago when the institution was Parkersburg Community College.  

Blankmann is leaving the area and has recently established a permanent residency in Florida.

At the reception, WVU Parkersburg President Marie Foster Gnage presented a plaque to Blankmann to acknowledge his many years of service to the college.  The plaque will become part of a Wall of Honor in the main administrative hallway outside the President’s Office. 

"Elmer played a significant role in establishing the college's Foundation.  His dedication to WVU Parkersburg -- and to higher education -- is an inspiration to all those involved in the Foundation's growth and development," noted Jenny Keup, executive director of the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation.

A World War II veteran and former employee of the Sperry Rand Corporation, Blankmann was appointed development director at the college in 1973.  He was instrumental in raising the initial $3,000 that formed the basis of the current Foundation’s funds which now total over 7 million dollars.

In 1978 Blankmann was appointed the first executive director of the Wood County Development Authority.  At that point, he began his service on the college Foundation's Board of Directors, eventually establishing a scholarship in his name and that of his deceased wife, Helen. 

The Blankmann Scholarship is one of 125 scholarships that will be awarded this spring to incoming freshmen and current students.  Those interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities or establishing a scholarship at the Foundation may call Jenny Keup, executive director, at 304-424-8340.

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