This endowment fund was established in 1991 by H. Louis Kirkpatrick as a living memorial to his parents, Dr. and Mrs. W. B. Kirkpatrick. Originally designated for the benefit of the College of West Virginia, later renamed Mountain State University. Following the closure of this educational institution, the University of Charleston-Beckley became the recipient of the fund’s annual income distribution. Mr. Kirkpatrick graduated from the University of Kentucky with a mining engineering degree. During World War II, he served with the Army Air force. Kirk retired from the New River Company as the Executive Vice-President following a successful and lengthy career in the coal industry.
