The West Virginia University Alumni Associations Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund (LPEF) has topped the $10 million mark, association officials announced today (Jan. 26).

This is a milestone for students, alumni and friends of the University,said Stephen Douglas, president and chief executive officer of the WVU Alumni Association.We are extremely fortunate to have loyal donors who continue to support this scholarship fund. Their generosity is a true testament to our current and former scholars.

For nearly 70 years, the LPEF has been giving deserving students an opportunity to pursue their dreams at WVU . Established in 1937 by the WVU Alumni Association, the LPEF has awarded more than 2,500 men and women with scholarships to attend WVU . Funded entirely from unsolicited private contributions, the LPEF is a source of funds to the WVU Scholars Program.

Last year, more than 375 scholarships totaling more than $400,000 were awarded to deserving students through the LPEF , including valedictorians, student body presidents and other high achieving Mountaineers.

This years increase to the LPEF will enable the Fund trustees to provide more WVU students with scholarship opportunities, Douglas said. Trustees include retired United States Marine Corps General Earl E. Anderson, MingoCounty businessman James H.BuckHarless and former West Virginia Secretary of State James R. McCartney of Morgantown.

The WVU Alumni Association, chartered in 1873, represents more than 160,000 University graduates residing in every county in West Virginia, every state in the union and approximately 60 foreign nations. With nearly 100 registered chapters and constituent groups, the Associations 26,000 dues-paying members support Homecoming Weekend, the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni and dozens of other social and philanthropic programs.

For more information about the WVU Alumni Association or the LPEF , visithttp://www.wvu.edu/~alumni/