Davis Trust Co. is continuing its long-time support of Davis & Elkins College with a $12,500 gift to fully fund one Highlands Scholarship.
Elkins resident Aidan Hedrick will receive the scholarship for the third consecutive year as he pursues his education in environmental science. The son of Roger and Casey Hedrick of Elkins, he serves in the 201st Field Artillery West Virginia Army National Guard.
Davis Trust Company has been a leader in funding the Highlands Scholarship program since 2010, and prior to that supported the Randolph County Scholarship Fund for many years.
“We fully support Davis & Elkins College and their commitment to educating and empowering the youth in West Virginia,” said Davis Trust Company President Hoy Ferguson. “It is our duty and pleasure to support the Highlands Scholar Program. Aidan is a charismatic young man with a sharp mind, he will do great things for the future of our state.”
The College and Davis Trust also share historic ties. Both institutions were founded by Henry Gassaway Davis – the bank in 1901 and the College in 1904. The campus is also home to the Davis Trust Company patio at Madden Student Center and the soon-to-be constructed Davis Trust Company Player & Press Pavilion.
“Davis Trust Company’s long-term support of the Highlands Scholarship at Davis & Elkins College is yet another example of their steadfast commitment to the Elkins-Randolph County community,” said D&E President Chris A. Wood. “The Highland Scholarship for West Virginia students is making a high quality private collegiate education available and affordable to local students like Aidan.”
The Highlands Scholar program was established in 2009 as a means of making a private college education more affordable and more accessible. Each year, Davis & Elkins College invests $5.4 million in West Virginia students through the Highlands Scholar program. West Virginia public, private and home-schooled graduates who have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA could qualify to receive between $60,000 and $80,000 in scholarships over a four-year period.
The Highlands Scholarship is made possible through the generous gifts of individuals and businesses, and is offered to qualifying high school seniors every year. Anyone wishing to support a Highlands Scholarship may call Senior Director of Institutional Advancement Cathy Nosel at 304-637-1339 or email noselc@dewv.edu. West Virginia students wishing to apply for a Highlands Scholarship may call the Office of Admission at 304-637-1230 or visit www.dewv.edu/highlandswv/.
Former Davis Trust Co. President Hugh Hitchcock, right, presents $12,500 for the Highlands Scholarship program to Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood, left, and scholarship recipient Aidan Hedrick.
