Mr. Gates, one of the original incorporators of the Beckley Area Foundation, established this scholarship fund for an engineering student from Raleigh County attending Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Leslie Gates was born in Dorothy; he earned a civil engineering degree from Virginia Tech and married Martha Rose Shrewsbury who died in 1994. At the time of his passing in 2008 Mr. Gates was married to Dr. Anneva French Covey Gates. A recipient of many professional and civic awards, Mr. Gates had been recognized with the Spirit of Beckley Award and the Beckley Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award.