The Beckley Area Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Dwight L., Ruth Hamlet, and Basil K. Wilcox Fund, a scholarship fund created by Dwight in honor of his parents, Ruth Hamlet Wilcox and Basil K. Wilcox (W.W.H.S. Class of 1934).
Dwight, a 1954 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and a 1958 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, now known as Virginia Tech, established the fund in recognition of the sacrifices his parents made to help him pursue his own college education.
“This fund was established in honor of my parents, Ruth and Basil,” Wilcox said. “They struggled to afford my expenses at V.P.I., despite the fact that costs then were minimal compared to what colleges charge today.”
Dwight’s experience as an engineering student at V.P.I. also influenced his decision to create the scholarship. He recalls that 107 students began his class/curriculum and only 32 graduated, an experience that demonstrated to him both the rigor and value of an engineering education.
The scholarship will support a graduating senior from Woodrow Wilson High School or Shady Spring High School who resides in Raleigh County and plans to attend Virginia Tech to pursue a degree in engineering. Recipients will be selected based on financial need and educational merit, and the scholarship is renewable for the standard length of time required to complete the degree.
“A VA Tech engineering student was selected to be the recipient because this college is still highly rated — and not easy,” Wilcox said. “By providing this tuition assistance, I hope to help deserving students earn a degree that will result in a successful career and life.”
Through the Dwight L., Ruth Hamlet, & Basil K. Wilcox Fund, Dwight is honoring the support his parents provided him while helping future students pursue the same educational opportunities that helped shape his own career and life.
If you’d like to support this meaningful cause, please send contributions with “Dwight L., Ruth Hamlet, and Basil K. Wilcox Fund” noted in the memo to: BAF, 1210 South Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801 or click the link below to donate online.