A late West Virginia University alumna’s planned gift of more than $200,000 is expanding scholarship opportunities for students who show academic promise.

When Lois Ackard Jamison first committed to donating through the WVU Foundation in 2008, her hope was to establish an undergraduate academic scholarship for students that would honor her late husband.

After revising her estate plans in 2009, Lois’ planned gift has provided $207,913 for the Gerald D. and Lois Ackard Jamison Scholarship following her passing in 2023. A charitable gift annuity added another $13,871 to the fund. The scholarship provides unrestricted support for qualifying WVU students.

“Unrestricted gifts like these create opportunities for our students to become stronger leaders who will make a difference in their communities and the lives of others,” said B.J. Davisson, WVU Foundation executive vice president and chief development officer. “As a land grant institution, service to the people of the state, whether students or our neighbors, is a priority. We are grateful to have friends of the University like the Jamisons who support our mission.”

The Jamisons were both Wheeling, West Virginia, natives who graduated high school in 1946. Lois began college immediately after high school and completed a bachelor’s degree in medical technology in 1950 at WVU. Her husband, Gerald D. Jamison, was drafted by the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and returned from service to begin his college career in 1948. He earned his business administration degree in 1953, also from WVU.

While enjoying careers in health and business, the couple discussed ways to give back to the University they felt prepared them for life and all it had to offer.

By the time the couple retired in 1987, Gerald had worked in management for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and then had a long career as an account executive in radio advertising in Columbus, Ohio. Lois spent 23 years working for the city’s Mt. Carmel Medical Center Pathology Lab.

The journey they shared during 50 years of marriage included both volunteerism and travel. Gerald was involved with Big Brothers of Columbus, worked with Junior Achievement and was a member of the Elks Club. Lois was an officer for TWIG, or Together with Important Goals. The program supports Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She also gave time to cerebral palsy patients and initiatives to help them.

The Jamisons spent their winters near Orlando, Florida, and their summers in Columbus, Ohio. The couple enjoyed cruises and travel in the United States, Europe and Asia.

The WVU Foundation is the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations, including charitable gift annuities, bequests and other planned gifts, on behalf of the University.