An endowment used to assist nursing students at Potomac State College has now been made permanent. Keyser and Mineral County nursing students will be given the first priority.
For years, WVU Potomac State College alumnus, Gary Parish, was hoping to create a perpetually endowed scholarship, the Catherine Parish Memorial Nursing Scholarship, in memory of his late wife, Cathy. His hope is now a reality, ensuring that students enrolled in the nursing program here will receive educational assistance for years to come.
“The intent was always to make it permanent. That was always the goal, so I am happy that this is happening. I want the scholarship to address a need,” Parish said. “In case someone wants to enroll in nursing and is struggling at some point, I want the scholarship to be able to help someone reach their goals.”
A longtime Mineral County resident, Cathy Parish served as a nurse at various locations throughout Allegany County, Md. She started in the pediatric unit at the old Sacred Heart Hospital, worked 10 years at Children’s Medical Group, served as a school nurse in Allegany County, and as a nurse with the Allegany County Health Department. Cathy Parish died in 2021, and the scholarship was established at Potomac State that year.
“The original money used to start the endowment was money Cathy and I had saved to travel,” Parish said. “But I knew that I would not be traveling without her, and helping other students pay for college is a way to honor her memory.”
A former PSC alumni board member who served on the committee for 15 years, including four terms as board president, Parish said the scholarship is personal.
“Had it not been for the WV Higher Education Grant, I may not have been able to attend college, and I don’t want other students to miss out on going to college if they want to go,” he said. “
Parish said if he is ever in doubt about how the scholarship is being used, he can simply go for a walk around his neighborhood.
“I currently live a block and a half from the College,” he said. “I grew up on Water Street in Keyser with a view of the library and the administration building. This scholarship seemed like the right thing to do to help people who are attending class in my backyard.”
Parish decided to make the endowment permanent after WVU’s 9th annual Day of Giving on March 25. Parish attended the Potomac State College celebration of the day, which included a challenge incentive to add to the nursing scholarship. He pledged $12,000 if the College could raise $5,000 for the scholarship on that day. Thanks to many supporters in the community who value nursing education, this goal was met. The scholarship was not endowed for quite some time, and with a recent donation from Parish, it will now become a permanent fixture.
“If people or companies want to contribute to it, that would be wonderful,” Parish said. “Several individuals and organizations have already contributed to the scholarship, and words cannot express what your generosity and kindness have meant to me and my family.”
April Shapiro, PhD, RN, CNE, serves as chairperson of the WVU School of Nursing on the Potomac State College campus in Keyser.
“We are so very grateful for this funding provided by Gary and his late wife, Cathy. What an impact she had on the nursing profession and our community, and what a wonderful way to pay it forward to our future nurses,” said Shapiro. “I cannot emphasize enough the impact this scholarship will have. Providing financial support for nursing students relieves a tremendous burden associated with coming to school to pursue their dreams, enabling students to focus more on their studies and strategies for success, and less on how they will pay for school. This funding could mean the difference in whether a student is able to attend nursing school or not. We are so thankful to current and future donors who continue this endowment, for their wonderful gift.”
This fund will be awarded based on the following criteria:
• West Virginia Resident students enrolled at West Virginia University Potomac State College.
• Undergraduate scholarship for students pre-majoring or majoring in Nursing.
• First preference shall be for residents of the following counties: Mineral County, West Virginia
• Student shall be making satisfactory academic progress and demonstrate financial need as determined by the WVU Office of Financial Aid.
• Recipients shall be determined by the WVU Office of Financial Aid.
The Parish Endowment Scholarship 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.