Blaneys’ generosity recognized by WVU
W. Gerald and Carolyn Eberly Blaney were the inaugural recipients of the West Virginia University Foundation Outstanding Volunteer Philanthropists Award. The Blaneys of Chalk Hill were honored for their exceptional service and commitment to the advancement of WVU.
They have made major contributions to numerous WVU programs and projects over the years, including funds for renovations in the Creative Arts Center and furnishings for the Life Sciences Building. In addition to their personal contributions to the renovation of the WVU president’s home, the Blaneys played a key role in acquiring additional private support for the project. The president’s house is named Blaney House in their honor.
A trustee of the Eberly Family Charitable Trust and director of the Eberly Foundation, Mrs. Blaney, with the encouragement of her husband, has been instrumental in providing numerous gifts to benefit the university, particularly in arts and sciences. The college officially became the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences in 1993 to honor the family’s generosity and dedication to preserving WVU’s intellectual strength.
A member of the Eberly College Advisory Board, Mrs. Blaney served on the WVU Foundation Board of Directors for 11 years and the Building Greatness Campaign: West Virginia University National Committee. She was named WVU’s 1992 Most Loyal Mountaineer and was inducted into the Order of Vandalia in 1995. She earned a bachelor’s degree in speech and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1998 from WVU.
Mr. Blaney was the recipient of the 1999 WVU Shining Star Award for exemplary service to the University.
In commemoration of its 50th anniversary, the West Virginia University Foundation announced the creation of philanthropic and doctoral fellowship awards to be given annually.
The awards – the WVU Foundation Distinguished Doctoral Fellowships, Outstanding Philanthropist, Outstanding Volunteer Philanthropists and Outstanding Philanthropic Organization – keep alive the Foundation’s tradition of establishing programs that benefit the university at major milestones in its history.
For its 30th anniversary in 1984-85, the WVU Foundation created the Foundation Awards for Outstanding Teachers. For the 40th anniversary in 1994-95, the WVU Foundation Scholarship Program was established.
Representatives in the WVU Provost’s Office will select recipients of the four $5,000 fellowships annually. The first fellowships will be awarded for the 2005-06 academic year.
Other inaugural recipients are: Outstanding Philanthropist, Milan “Mike” Puskar; and Outstanding Philanthropic Organization, Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust. The awards were presented at the annual Woodburn Circle Society Induction Ceremony and Dinner.
The Society is the Foundation’s most prestigious giving group.