ELKINS – Davis Trust Co. is continuing its commitment to help local students obtain a high quality liberal arts education by supporting the nationally recognized Davis & Elkins College Highlands Scholar Program. The bank recently presented a $12,500 check to fully fund a one-year scholarship, marking its ninth consecutive year for participation.
“The Davis Trust Company board and shareholders are glad to be able to help Davis & Elkins College,” said Davis Trust Co. President and Chief Executive Officer Hugh Hitchcock.
“The ability to help a local person get an education is an investment in the College and the community as well,” added DTC Executive Vice President Rachel Hayes.
The College and Davis Trust share a history that goes back more than 100 years. Both institutions were founded by Henry Gassaway Davis and Stephen B. Elkins – the bank in 1899 and the College in 1904.
The Highlands Scholar Program was established in 2009 as a means of making a private college education more affordable and more accessible, and initially served students in Randolph, Upshur, Barbour, Pocahontas, Tucker, Pendleton and Webster counties. In 2015, the program expanded to all eligible graduates with at least a 2.5 GPA from any public or private West Virginia high school.
Since its inception, 1,100 students have received the Highlands Scholar award. For the 2018-19 academic year, the College has invested $4.7 million in the scholarship program.
“We are grateful to Davis Trust Company and Hugh Hitchcock for their continued support of the Highlands Scholarship,” said Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood. “In turn, we look forward to providing a local student with the opportunity to attend Davis & Elkins College.”
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 Director of Development Karen Wilmoth at 304-637-1374 or email wilmothk@dewv.edu. West Virginia students wishing to apply for a Highlands Scholarship may call the Office of Admission at 304-637-1230.
