West Virginia University students pursuing degrees in education, engineering, nursing and oral health care will benefit from a generous alumni couple’s planned gifts totaling $2 million.

Paula and Keith Lilly, of Cookeville, Tennessee, met as undergraduate students at WVU and will support their alma mater through planned endowments that establish scholarships for the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences, WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, WVU School of Nursing and WVU School of Dentistry.

Keith Lilly completed a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1981. Paula Lilly, also a 1981 graduate, earned a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. The native West Virginians’ generosity will support students from the Mountain State through four individual $500,000 planned gifts.

Two gifts will benefit students who share the same undergraduate majors as the donors.

“Our mechanical engineering program continues to attract high-performing students who excel both in and out of the classroom,” said Pedro Mago, Glen H. Hiner Dean at the Statler College. “We are incredibly grateful to Paula and Keith Lilly, as well as our loyal alumni, who recognize the value of their past experiences to support and empower our faculty and students with resources to achieve their full potential.”

Amy Funk, chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene, said the couple’s gift reflects the program’s efforts to prepare graduates for healthy, happy and successful lives that include service to others.

“The Lillys’ gift will have an enormous impact on student success and well-being by reducing the financial burden and allowing them to concentrate on their studies and patients,” Funk said. “Paying it forward is truly a full-circle moment, and I am incredibly grateful for all support from our alumni and friends of the program.”

The Lillys’ interest in health care and education compelled them to also give to programs outside their own majors. WVU School of Nursing students, for example, will benefit.

“On behalf of the WVU School of Nursing, we are tremendously grateful for the Lillys’ support,” Tara Hulsey, WVU School of Nursing dean and E. Jane Martin Endowed Professor, said. “As alumni, they have seen the value in degrees from WVU, even in programs outside of their respective majors. Their support will positively impact our nursing students for many years to come.”

Students attending the WVU College of Applied Human Services will also qualify for a newly created scholarship.

“Paula and Keith Lilly’s generosity speaks volumes about who they are and their love of WVU,” Nate Sorber, interim CAHS dean, said. “They are not only successful professionals but people who value the role that education plays across disciplines. We are grateful for their investment in the College of Applied Human Sciences and future educators.”

To qualify for the planned scholarships, students must demonstrate financial need and maintain at least a 2.3 GPA throughout their program. At the Lillys’ request, preference will be given to West Virginia students from Monongalia, Nicholas and Webster counties — the same areas of the state where they grew up.

The Lillys’ planned gift was made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.