Hard work and talent are their own rewards, but these attributes have also earned John Phillip Estep of Sistersville a full scholarship to West Virginia University. In a Tuesday (July 23) ceremony, the WVU Alumni Association formally named Estep the new Lemuel D. Jarvis Distinguished Scholaran award valued at more than $42,000.
Estep, a graduate of Tyler Consolidated High School, plans to major in political science. His tuition, room and board, fees, and books will be covered by his Jarvis Scholarship, which also includes a $2,000 stipend for enhancement of the academic experience through travel or internships. The award is granted by the Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund (LPEF) of the WVU Alumni Association.
Also present at the award ceremony were WVU President David C. Hardesty, Jr., Glenn Adrian, president of the WVU Alumni Association, Stephen L. Douglas, chief executive officer of the association, and James R. McCartney, of the LPEF trust committee.
“John is a very admirable young man,”McCartney said.”We believe that his future potential is virtually unlimited. He is proof of the fact that West Virginia students are a priceless resource. We have only to give them the opportunities to excel, and they will.”
Estep was valedictorian of his class, member of the National Honor Society and participated in the Governors Honors Academy. His team won the West Virginia State Science Olympiad this year.
He was also student body president this year and captain of his schools varsity golf team. A play-by-play announcer for Tyler Highs varsity football and volleyball games, he also enjoyed being a disc jockey for the schools radio station.
For Estep, a recent thrill was welcoming Gov. Bob Wise to Tyler High in December.
“I was very pleased to have been given this opportunity to represent my classmates, my school and my county in front of the leader of our state,”Estep recalled.
Regarding the WVU scholarship, he is humble, saying,”I am truly grateful for the award and honored to have been chosen. I cannot wait to get to Morgantown and to begin my college career.”
According to the funds bylaws, one recipient is selected every four years, so that there will always be a Jarvis Scholar attending WVU . The first recipient of the scholarship, Nathan Moore of Huntington graduated in May.
The Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund at WVU , established in 1937, has provided scholarships to over 2,000 worthy and needy West Virginia students, including over 400 who are currently enrolled. Besides McCartney, the LPEF trust committee includes James H.”Buck”Harless and General Earl E. Anderson (USMC, Ret.), who serves as chairman.