WVU Parkersburg recognizes PROMISE Scholars New Scholars join an elite group of more than 32,000 high-achieving West Virginians FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Parkersburg, W.Va. 5/31/12 – Forty PROMISE Scholarship recipients will begin their first year at West Virginia University at Parkersburg this fall. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the PROMISE scholarship program. The award covers tuition and fees up to $4,750 at approved two-year and four-year colleges and universities in West Virginia. The program was launched in 2002 under the leadership of former Governor Bob Wise, former state senator Lloyd Jackson, II and Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, who previously served as senate president. Since the program's creation, more than 32,000 students have been awarded the scholarship, and more than $315 million has been provided to help West Virginians attend college. Governor Tomblin said those funds represent a valuable investment in our state. "Ten years ago, West Virginia made a promise to its young people: if you work hard, earn good grades, and fully commit to pursuing a college education in our state, we will help you pay for a college education. That promise is paying off today for students and their families - but more important for our state. Research shows that receiving the PROMISE Scholarship helps ensure that our students graduate from college, because the program requires students to maintain a high grade point average and take a rigorous course load," Tomblin said. "Additionally, more than 60 percent of PROMISE Scholars work in state after graduation. To meet workforce demands and grow our economy, West Virginia needs additional qualified college graduates. The PROMISE Scholarship is a valuable tool in helping keep young, bright West Virginians active in our local communities and across our Great State." To receive the PROMISE Scholarship, students must obtain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, an overall ACT score of 22 and a score of at least 20 in each of four ACT subject areas. The following prospective WVU Parkersburg students were awarded the PROMISE Scholarship this year: Raven ltenburger, Ripley High School Benjamin Amos, Williamstown High School Catherine Anderson, Ravenswood High School Lindsay Boothe, Parkersburg South High School Alyssa Brozak, Ripley High School Hayley Cutlip, Wood County Christian School Sarah Duvall, Parkersburg High School Ian Elmore, Parkersburg South High School Katie Erb, Parkersburg High School Samantha Faber, Ripley High School Kellsey Fleak, Parkersburg South High School Gary Forshey, Parkersburg South High School Katelyn Fox, Ripley High School Kinsey Fox, Ripley High School Kyle Gibbs, Parkersburg South High School Benjamin Gray, Wood County Christian School Tayler Harri,s St. Marys High School Corey Hess, Parkersburg South High School Rachel Hogsett, Parkersburg South High School Aaron Lamp, Parkersburg South High School Lane Lemon, Parkersburg High School Macie Lynch, Parkersburg South High School Jarrod Maidens, Williamstown High School Byron Matlack, St. Marys High School Chloee Metz, Ripley High School Brandi Munday, Ripley High School Nathan Napier, Ritchie County High School Megan Pitts, Parkersburg High School Jenna Poole, Parkersburg South High School Serena Reynolds, Wood County Christian School Andrew Ruble, Tyler Consolidated High School Tessa Sall, Parkersburg High School Terrance Shank, Parkersburg High School Ashley Snyder, Ritchie County High School Lynzee Springston, Williamstown High School April Vermilye, Parkersburg South High School Ronald Vest, Ripley High School Hannah Watkins, Wirt County High School Britney White, Parkersburg High School Bridgette Woodward, Parkersburg High School More information about the PROMISE Scholarship and other state financial aid programs can be found through the College Foundation of West Virginia, the state's free college planning website at www.cfwv.com. For additional information, contact: Katie Wootton Director of Marketing & Communications WVU Parkersburg 304-424-8203 E-mail Recent Releases News Archive