CONTACT: Paul D. Daugherty, Executive Director (304) 424-8340 (O)
Email: Paul.Daugherty@mail.wvu.edu (304) 482-9890 (H)

". . .a very special person. He was a ray of sunshine, a happy, energetic, thoughtful student," is how West Virginia University at Parkersburg welding instructor, Tina Buchanan remembers former student Kilian Conlon.

As a resident of Bebee, WV, 10 miles east of New Martinsville, Kilian traveled over 128 miles round trip, 2 to 4 days a week, to earn his Associate in Applied Science degree at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. His goal was to become a top-notch, certified welder. "Welding was Kilian’s love and Kilian’s art, " noted his parents Steve and Ellie Conlon of Proctor, WV. Not only was Kilian a full time student but he was also a full time apprentice with the Boilermakers Local 667.

Kilian was set to graduate from WVU at Parkersburg in December 2001 with an associate’s degree in welding. But on November 1, 2001, the young life of Kilian Felix Conlon ended suddenly in a motorcycle accident in Wetzel County.

Steve and Ellie decided to create a scholarship fund in his memory with the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation, Inc. They chose to use the memorial gifts from their family and friends in a way that would allow for the legacy of Kilian’s life to live on. This fund was established in December of 2001 as the Kilian Felix Conlon Memorial Scholarship – Young Welders Fund – with WVU at Parkersburg Foundation.

The scholarship was created to assist students from Wetzel, Tyler, and the contiguous counties who want to develop strong technical careers. Since its creation in 2001, the fund has awarded 3 scholarships and has grown to over $13,000.00. The most recent recipients of the scholarship are 2003 graduates of Magnolia High School and Tyler County High School.

"It is an immense honor and privilege for the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation to serve as the steward of Kilian's memory and his legacy." stated Paul Daugherty, Executive Director of the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation. He continued, "The wonderful contributions of the many friends, family members, community, and co-workers of Kilian have established a remarkable gift that will inspire future welding students at WVU Parkersburg."

Kilian’s family and friends want to see that his scholarship fund continues to grow. They encourage members of the community to support his memory by making a gift to the Conlon Memorial Scholarship Fund. Now is a wonderful time to support the memory of Kilian Conlon for contributions to the scholarship fund are tax deductible. Steve and Ellie commented, "We hope that students who receive this memorial scholarship will also receive some of the ‘spark’ that was so much a part of Kilian’s life."

Persons interested in contributing to this fund may contact Paul D. Daugherty at the Foundation’s office by phone (304) 424-8340, via email: Paul.Daugherty@mail.wvu.edu, or by mail: WVU at Parkersburg Foundation – Conlon Scholarship Fund, 300 Campus Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26104.