The Vaughn and Meredith Kiger family of Morgantown has made a contribution to West Virginia University Foundation to establish the Hardesty Leaders Scholarship Endowment at WVU .

Vaughn is president of Dorsey&Kiger Realtors and Meredith has been an educator for the Monongalia County Board of Education and a professor at West Virginia Weslyan College and Frostburg State University. The couple, along with their children, Adrian, Elliott and Miles, created the scholarship, they said, in honor and recognition of the extraordinary leadership of David and Susan Hardesty. The Kiger family made the initial gift in hopes that others would honor the Hardestys through contributions to the fund thus providing additional scholarships each year.

The scholarship acknowledges a freshman who has demonstrated leadership skills through community and high school activities in the state of West Virginia. Ann Marie Casto is the first recipient receiving the honor for 2003. She is the daughter of Joe Casto of Ripley and Rhonda Murrey of Ravenswood.

A 1966 graduate and Phi Sigma Kappa member, Vaughn Kiger received his bachelor’s degree in history. He is the immediate past chairman of the WVU Board of Governors. Kiger also served on the WVU Board of Advisors from 1995-2001 and is a past president of the WVU Alumni Association. He earned Realtor of the Year honors in 1987 and the Morgantown Board of Realtors President’s Award in 1990.

Meredith Kiger earned three degrees from WVU including bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 1966 and 1974, respectively, in family resources and her EdD in curriculum and instruction in 1996. She was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority and was elected homecoming queen in 1965.

Both are lifetime members of the WVU Alumni Association.

Casto, who graduated fifth in her senior class at Ravenswood High School, was a member of the National Honor Society where she served as secretary. She was active in a variety of local and state choirs including Rave Revue Show Choir, Concert Choir Select, and All State Cambers Choir. Other organizations and activities Casto participated in include Color Guard, Christians in Action Club, Hi-Y Club, Youth Organized to Develop Attitude Club, 4-H and Teen Leaders, Relay for Life and Adopt a Family.

The Kiger’s gift has been made in conjunction with the Building Greatness Campaign, a University-wide initiative being conducted by the WVU Foundation, which has raised $281 million in private support. The WVU Foundation is a private non-profit corporation that generates, receives and administers private gifts for the benefit of West Virginia University. Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the Hardesty Leaders Scholarship can do so by contacting the WVU Foundation at 304-284-4000 or through the website at www.wvuf.org .