Davis & Elkins College, Citizens Bank of West Virginia and WDTV made dual announcements today to continue their partnership by offering a full, four-year scholarship to Davis & Elkins College. The application period is now open for the Citizens Bank of West Virginia Emerging Leaders Scholarship to Davis & Elkins College, which will provide four years of tuition, room and board.
The announcements were made at the conclusion of American Legion Auxiliary West Virginia Rhododendron Girls State at Davis & Elkins College and American Legion Mountaineer Boys State at WVU Jackson’s Mill.
Sidney Megna, winner of the inaugural Citizens Bank of West Virginia Emerging Leaders Scholarship to Davis & Elkins College, spoke to Girls State citizens encouraging them to apply for the scholarship. Megna, a resident of Fairmont, concluded her term as 2021 Girls State governor and will attend D&E this fall to major in political science.
All 2023 West Virginia high school graduates, whether attending a public, private or homeschool, with a 3.25 or higher GPA are eligible to apply. Applicants will be required to submit an essay of between 500 and 1,500 words based on the topic, “If you receive this scholarship, how will you pay it forward to the state of West Virginia?” A list of high school and community involvement activities will also be included in the application. Submissions, accepted through November 22, can be made at www.dewv.edu/emergingleadersscholarship/.
Last year, 100 students applied. The selection committee was so impressed with the caliber of qualification that they decided to award additional scholarships totaling more than $1 million over four years. The scholarship added to D&E’s current annual investment of $5.4 million in West Virginia students through the Highlands Scholarship program.
“Davis & Elkins College is investing in West Virginia students that wish to experience a transformative education at a first-rate institution of higher education,” said Chris A. Wood, President of Davis & Elkins College. “With gratitude to Citizen’s Bank of West Virginia and WDTV, the Emerging Leaders Scholarship at D&E is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a hardworking 2023 high school graduate who wants to make a difference as a productive citizen of his or her home state. We train leaders, and we are excited to welcome the best and brightest of our state’s next generation.”
Davis & Elkins College and Citizens Bank of West Virginia share community ties and a common bond. Citizens Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel Bonnell is a 2003 graduate of D&E and member of the College’s Board of Trustees.
“Citizens Bank is proud to continue our sponsorship with Davis & Elkins College and WDTV to offer the Emerging Leaders Scholarship to help students across the state attain their educational and career goals,” said President & CEO Nathaniel S. Bonnell. “This full-ride scholarship is the easiest application you will ever complete. I highly encourage all Class of 2023 high school seniors to apply now.”
A committee of scholarship partners will score the applications based on their essays, high school activities and volunteer work. Top candidates will be invited for an interview in early December.
Announcing the second year of their partnership for the Citizens Bank of West Virginia Emerging Leaders Scholarship to Davis & Elkins College at Rhododendron Girls State are, from left, D&E President Chris A. Wood, Mr. Senator, recipient of the inaugural Emerging Leaders Scholarship Sidney Megna, Citizens Bank Senior Vice President and Marketing Officer Kathy Leombruno and D&E Director of Financial Aid Matt Summers. The College, WDTV and Citizens Bank sponsor the full, four-year scholarship.
Davis & Elkins College leaders traveled to American Legion Mountaineer Boys State at Jackson’s Mill to announce their second-year partnership with Citizens Bank of West Virginia and WDTV in offering a full, four-year scholarship. From left are, Mountaineer Boys State Assistant Director Matt Sampson, D&E President Chris A. Wood, Mr. Senator, 2022 Mountaineer Boys State Governor Will Behrens and D&E Director of Branding and Communications Janetta Ross. Applications for the Emerging Leaders Scholarship to Davis & Elkins College are currently open at www.dewv.edu/emergingleadersscholarship/.
