Davis Trust Co. has a long history of supporting the Davis & Elkins College Highlands Scholarship program. This year, the hometown bank continued its commitment with a $12,500 gift to fully fund one scholarship.
Elkins resident Aidan Hedrick will receive the scholarship for the second consecutive year as he pursues his education in biology. The son of Roger and Casey Hedrick of Elkins, he serves in the 201st Field Artillery West Virginia Army National Guard.
“The Highlands Scholarship is one of several things that made me choose D&E,” Hedrick said. “It’s nice to see a local business give back to the community to help a local student at a local college.”
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 are very happy to continue our support of the Highlands Scholarship program and our relationship with Davis & Elkins College,” said Davis Trust Company President and Chief Executive Officer Hugh Hitchcock. “Our board recognizes the importance of giving back to the community and this is just one of the ways we do that – helping a local student get a quality education at D&E.”
Davis & Elkins College and Davis Trust Company share ties dating back to their inceptions as both institutions were founded more than 100 years ago by Henry Gassaway Davis and Stephen B. Elkins.
“We are grateful to Davis Trust Company for their continued support of the Highlands Scholarship,” said Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood. “Working in unison for the common good is what community is all about and this partnership exhibits the perfect example of that.”
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/.
Davis Trust Company made its annual gift to the Highlands Scholarship program with a visit to Davis & Elkins College. Attending the presentation are, from left, Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood, Davis Trust Company President and Chief Executive Officer Hugh Hitchcock, Davis Trust Company Highlands Scholar Aidan Hedrick, Highlands Scholarship recipient Brooklyn Maxwell, Davis Trust Company Executive Vice President Rachel Hayes and D&E Vice President for Institutional Advancement Scott Goddard.
