FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 8, 2015

For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115

GLENVILLE, WV - The Glenville State College Foundation is pleased to announce the formation of the Bill and Patsy (Garrett) Dawson Scholarship. This scholarship, which is designed to support GSC students in the education and physical education fields, was funded with life insurance proceeds upon the passing of Mr. Dawson in November of 2014.

The pair met while attending Glenville State College after his service in the Korean War. Patsy, who passed away in 2012, was a Gilmer County native who, upon graduating from GSC, moved to Parkersburg to teach while her husband completed his degree. Later, they both were hired into the school system in Ohio. Patsy taught at East Elementary School in Celina her entire career while Bill served as a teacher and principal in nearby Montezuma before completing his teaching career at West Elementary in Celina.

During their almost 56 years together, the Dawson's never forgot their West Virginia roots even though they spent decades in Ohio. Whenever they made frequent trips back to the Mountain State with their daughters, Cherie and Christi, it was a tradition that they would sing 'West Virginia Hills' as they crossed the bridge over the Ohio River. Bill made sure that the girls knew that the state song was penned in Gilmer County.

"Bill and Patsy's lives represent perfectly what Glenville State College strives to ensure all of our graduates achieve as they move into their careers. That is, giving back to their communities through not only their teaching, but in their generosity to their alma mater as well as to the St. Jude's Hospital, the ASPCA, the Appalachian Service Project, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. What a remarkable couple to understand that the bounty they earned was to be shared with so many," said Glenville State College President Dr. Peter Barr.

For more information on the Bill and Patsy Dawson Scholarship or other scholarship opportunities, call the Glenville State College Foundation at (304) 462-6380 or write to 200 High Street, Glenville, WV 26351. Dennis J. Pounds, Vice President for College Advancement, may also be reached at Dennis.Pounds@glenville.edu for further information on contributing to or starting a scholarship fund.