West Virginians and leaders across the country who are dedicated to advancing the Mountain State are invited to apply for the 2025 Hazel Ruby McQuain Graduate Scholarship, administered by the West Virginia University Office of Graduate Education and Life.

Established in honor of Hazel Ruby McQuain’s legacy of service to West Virginia, the scholarship provides $20,000 annually to outstanding graduate students from any accredited higher education institution within the United States.

Full eligibility requirements and other details are listed on the scholarship webpage.

Eligible applicants must:

• Exemplify the legacy of Hazel Ruby McQuain’s commitment to serving the people of West Virginia.
• Have a record of public service and demonstrate leadership qualities.
• Be a West Virginia resident, have significant ties to the state or be dedicated to bettering the lives of West Virginians.
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Qualified applicants must complete the online application form by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, March 16. A graduate school/program acceptance letter, resume or curriculum vitae, academic transcripts and a personal statement are required as part of the application. Three letters of recommendation must also be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 27.

Questions about the Hazel Ruby McQuain Graduate Scholarship can be directed to GradEd@mail.wvu.edu.

Four Hazel Ruby McQuain Graduate Scholarship recipients were selected in 2024. Three are pursuing graduate degrees at WVU.

The scholarship’s late namesake was a businesswoman and benefactor devoted to the community development of Morgantown and the surrounding area.

She and her husband, John Wesley Ruby, moved to Morgantown in 1940 and launched business endeavors in agriculture, mining, road paving, poultry processing, feed mills and raising racehorses and miniature schnauzers. After Mr. Ruby’s death in 1972, Hazel served as president of Ruby Enterprises Inc. and later shifted her interests toward community service. In 1981, she was remarried to J. Burl “Mac” McQuain.

Mrs. McQuain’s donations to Morgantown and WVU established programs, recreational facilities, University chairs and more. Her generosity includes an $8 million gift to support the construction of J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, which is named in memory of her husband. She passed away in 2002 at the age of 93.

Her gifts were made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.