FOUNDATION SCHOLARS — (Back row, from left) Steven Robison of Charles Town, Mark James of Bruceton Mills, (front row, from left) Brittany Ratcliff of Burnsville, Paige Parrack of Point Pleasant and Katie Horacek of Grafton

They hold diverse aspirations of becoming an international diplomat, marine biologist, neurologist and engineers, but they share a common desire to contribute to the state through community involvement and leadership.

They are five of the top high school seniors in the state who have been named the 2008 class of West Virginia University Foundation Scholars.

The group was introduced by Gov. Joe Manchin, WVU President Mike Garrison and WVU Foundation President R. Wayne King at a special ceremony Tuesday (May 6) at the state Capitol.

The scholars, who have demonstrated the highest academic achievements and leadership potential, will receive the WVU Foundation Scholarship – valued at over $65,000 – to cover tuition and fees, books, room and board and other expenses for four years. They also qualify for a stipend of up to $3,500 for academic enhancement opportunities including travel, study abroad and internships.

The 2008 WVU Foundation Scholars are: Katherine “Katie” Horacek, Grafton, Grafton High School; Mark James, Bruceton Mills, Preston High School; Paige Parrack, Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant High School; Brittany Ratcliff, Burnsville, Braxton High School; and Steven Robison, Charles Town, Hedgesville High School.

Manchin praised the students and the opportunity the scholarship provides.

“The five young people you will meet today represent the best and the brightest our state has to offer,” he said. “They have big dreams. Now, they can start making them reality at WVU. There are no limits to what these students can accomplish if they work hard and take advantage of the opportunities before them, and I have no doubt that they will.”

Garrison highlighted the students’ career aspirations saying that their years at WVU will help them achieve those goals.

“One of you, I know, wants to unravel the mysteries of the human mind,” he said. “Another is interested in researching fuel efficiency. One wants to work in the national security area to protect our country’s interests. One’s interests lie in the sea’s depths, while another dreams of soaring to Mars. Dreams like this are within your reach, and West Virginia University exists, first and foremost, to help people like you achieve your dreams.”

The Foundation Scholarship is the keystone of the WVU undergraduate scholarship program, which annually benefits more than 5,500 students in excess of $10 million.

One-hundred and ten state high school students have received WVU’s most selective scholarship since the program was established in 1987.

“The WVU Foundation joins in congratulating these exceptional students for their many accomplishments,” King said. “Providing scholarship opportunities for students through private support continues to be a top priority of the Foundation. We strongly believe that our donors’ investment in students, especially those we honor today, will result in great returns for our state and nation in the future.”

The Foundation Scholar award is restricted to West Virginia high school seniors who have a minimum 3.8 GPA and a 30 composite ACT (or 1,340 SAT) score.

Twenty students were awarded Neil S. Bucklew Scholarships (four-year awards valued at more than $24,000 each) and interviewed on the Morgantown campus in April. From these 20, five were awarded Foundation Scholarships.

Meet WVU’s 2008 class of Foundation Scholars:

Katherine “Katie” Horacek of Grafton plans to major in engineering.

“WVU has such a great engineering department,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to participating in the many hands-on activities and academic competitions it offers.”

Horacek is uncertain what type of engineering she will study, but she has a keen interest in engineering research, including fuel efficiency.  

She also enjoys politics and plans to get involved in Young Democrats while at WVU.