2026 Scholarship Reception
SUF President Austin ’76 and Carmen Slater chat before the program. The Slaters created the Austin J. Slater, Jr. ’76 and Carmen L. Slater Scholarship Fund in 2019 for the benefit of students studying business.
Sandra Ramey was on hand to represent the newest scholarship endowment, the W. Glenn and Margaret R. Welsh Scholarship.
NSDAR members Kathy Klein (l) and Susan Benson (r) pose with scholarship recipient Elizabeth Cushwa (c). Cushwa is a recipient of the Pack Horse Ford, NSDAR Scholarship Award in Memory of Ruth Powers Thacher.
Dr. Larry Daily (c) created the Jonathan Paul Daily Scholarship in 2012 in memory of his son, who tragically passed away in 2011. The scholarship is for students majoring in applied mathematics.
Shepherd University President Mary J.C. Hendrix ’74 (l) poses with Aria Luby (r). Aria is the recipient of the Capt. Charles N. G. Hendrix Scholarship, named for Dr. Hendrix’s father.
Dr. Kelly Hart, Vice President for Development and Annual Giving
Rev. Carl Stewart (l) and grandson attended the event. Rev. Stewart created the Violet W. Stewart Memorial Scholarship in memory of his beloved wife, who passed away after 53 years of marriage.
The 2026 Shepherd University Foundation Reception for Donors and Scholars program highlighted the achievements of two outstanding student scholarship recipients and one faculty excellence award recipient. (l to r) Faculty Excellence Recipient Dr. Heidi Hanrahan, scholarship recipient Elizabeth Cuswha, Shepherd University President Mary J.C. Hendrix ’74, and scholarship recipient Favor Okigweh
Chris Parker ’82 (l) chats with Provost Jack DeRochi, Ph.D. (r) Chris and wife Jennifer were in attendance to represent the Roger Parker Memorial Scholarship, created in 2016 in memory of Coach Parker.
Current Board of Governor’s member Sue Mentzer-Blair ’72 (l) poses with the JoAnn Mentzer Scholarship Recipient Emma Easton (r ). Mentzer-Blair and husband Bill Blair are the named fund sponsors for two endowments with the Shepherd University Foundation: the JoAnn Mentzer Scholarship and the Mentzer Award for Inspirational Teaching.
Dr. Hendrix (l) poses with Nancy Colbert (r). Nancy is the fund sponsor for the Charles H. & Clara L. Freeland Scholarship.
SUF President Austin J. Slater ’76 gives the welcoming remarks
Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix offers a welcome to attendees on behalf of the University
The newest scholarship endowment, the W. Glenn and Margaret R. Welsh Scholarship, was announced during the program. (l to r) Shepherd University Foundation EVP Sherri Janelle, fund sponsor Virginia Hoffman, fund sponsor Sandra Ramey, and SUF President Austin Slater.
Foundation EVP Sherri Janelle addresses the scholars and their families in attendance
Student Scholarship recipient representative Elizabeth Cushwa. Elizabeth is a historic preservation major from Martinsburg, WV.
Student Scholarship recipient representative Favor Okigweh. Favor is a business administration/financial planning major from Edgewood, MD.
Faculty Excellence Award representative Dr. Heidi Hanrahan
Dr. Jack DeRochi, provost, greets Jack Egle ’61. Jack and wife Pat ’60 have two scholarships at the Foundation: the John & Anna Egle Memorial Scholarship and the Jack and Pat Egle Athletic Scholarship.
Provost DeRochi took photos with scholarship recipients and their families following the program
