Anita H. and James Mahood recently established a scholarship.
Keyser High School alumni who are already attending WVU Potomac State College, or those who will be, are eligible for a scholarship made possible by James and Anita Mahood.
The James and Anita H. Mahood Scholarship was established in late March 2026.
“Giving back to a student means a great deal to me, because I once benefited from that same kind of support,” Jim Mahood said. “I’m delighted to help students from my home county of Mineral County pursue their education and their future.”
Mahood’s higher education began at Potomac State College in 1958. The grandson and son of previous attendees of PSC, Mahood graduated with the Class of 1961. Shortly after, he joined the military. He attended Naval Post Graduate School in 1975. While in the U.S. Navy, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Internal Relations with the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Furthering his education, he attended George Washington University, where he received a Master of Science in Information Systems Technology. Retiring with the rank of captain from the Navy in 1992, he then worked eight years as a director of marketing and news business development for a composite material consortium.
With all of that education and experience as his foundation, Mahood said a good bit of his heart remains at Potomac State College, where it all began.
“My daily life was impacted through my Potomac State experiences,” Mahood said. “I gained academic, communication, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and lifelong friendships.”
First preference for the scholarship will be given to a student or graduate of Keyser High School. The second preference will be a student from Mineral County, West Virginia. Candidates for the scholarship must maintain a grade point average of 2.5 to be considered. Recipients shall be determined by the WVU Potomac State College Office of Financial Aid.
“We are incredibly grateful to Jim Mahood for his generous support in establishing the James and Anita H. Mahood Family Scholarship,” said Dr. Megan J. Webb, Director of Development. “As a proud alumnus, Jim understands firsthand the impact of educational support—and is now paying it forward to help students from Mineral County achieve their dreams.”
The Mahood gift was made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University and its affiliates. For more information regarding how to donate to WVU Potomac State College, please reach out to Dr. Megan Webb at mwebb9@mail.wvu.edu. For further information on the Endowment Spend Policy, Advancement Fee, and Endowment Management Fee, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.wvuf.org.