Gov. Bob Wise and West Virginia University President David C. Hardesty Jr. will announce the winners of WVU s top scholarship at an 11 a.m. news conference Thursday, May 30, in the Governors Reception Room at the State Capitol. We invite your coverage.

At the conference, five of the states top high school seniors will become Foundation Scholars, an award reserved exclusively for West Virginians. The Scholars Program awardvalued at more than $45,000pays for four years of educational and living expenses, plus additional funds for study abroad, internships or other educational experiences. It is supported by the WVU Foundation, Inc.

FOR TV STATIONS : WVU Television Productions will provide taped copies of press conference highlights to stations that cannot attend. Call Jacob Young, 304-293-1307 ext. 5, with questions or to request a copy of the tape.

The scholarship winners will be chosen from the following 15 finalists who were recently offered Neil S. Bucklew Scholarships to attend WVU :

• Mark Biedler, Home School, Gerrardstown, Berkeley County

• Paul Biedler, Home School, Gerrardstown, Berkeley County

• Daniel Carrier, University High School, Morgantown, Monongalia County

• John Estep, Tyler Consolidated High School, Sistersville, Tyler County

• Jason Gianola, Nitro High School, Cross Lanes, Kanawha County

• Douglas Funk, Hedgesville High School, Hedgesville, Berkeley County

• Brent Hardman, Parkersburg Catholic High School, Parkersburg, Wood County

• Hillary Homburg, Capital High School, Charleston, Kanawha County

• Ashley Jenkins, Preston High School, Newburg, Preston County

• Allison Lastinger, Morgantown High School, Morgantown, Monongalia County

• Kristina Lebedeva, University High School, Morgantown, Monongalia County

• Sarah Lovell, Martinsburg High School, Martinsburg, Berkeley County

• Matthew Miller, Charleston Catholic High School, Charleston, Kanawha County

• Lori Reber, Parkersburg South High School, Washington, Wood County

• Steven Williams, The Linsly School, Moundsville, Marshall County