The founder and former president and CEO of George E.Booth Co. Inc. and his wife have donated $55,000 to West Virginia Universitys College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

The contribution from George E. Booth Sr. and Margie Booth will provide for a scholarship fund to support diligent, promising West Virginia students with financial need. Preference for scholarship selection will be given to students from Marshall County.

Gene Cilento, dean of the college, said he is encouraged by the Boothsgenerosity and determination to make a difference in the college.

“We want West Virginia students to realize what potential they have to be successful,”Cilento said.”It means a great deal to the University to have accomplished alumni give back to their alma mater on behalf of their positive experiences here.”

Booth, a native of Moundsville, graduated from WVU in 1957 with a degree in mechanical engineering before moving to New Jersey to work for an aircraft industry in test engineering. He then moved to Wisconsin to work in airborne electronics and aerodynamics and also marketed airplanes before starting his own company in 1963.

The George E. Booth Co. is a major distributor of process instrumentation products and related services with locations in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. The $30 million business is now headed by the Booths son, George E. Booth Jr.

“My education at WVU taught me basic principles, not only in engineering, but in business that enhanced my opportunity for success,”Booth said.”Therefore, I want to share my success by financially assisting West Virginia talent in furthering their endeavors at the WVU engineering school.”

The Booths also hope their gift leverages other support from alumni and corporations to advance the college. The couple, married 44 years, live in Indianapolis, Ind.

The Boothsgift has been made as part of the Building Greatness Campaign: West Virginia University, a University-wide initiative spearheaded by the WVU Foundation to raise $250 million in private support. The WVU Foundation, a private non-profit organization, is the designated agency to receive and administer gifts from private individuals and organizations for the benefit of WVU . For more information on how to contribute to the George and Margie Booth Scholarship Fund, contact the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources Development Office at 304-293-4821, ext. 2240. -WVU-