* WHO :* W.Va. Gov. Joe Manchin, WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. and WVU Foundation Interim President and CEO David Hamstead

* WHAT :* An event to announce the recipients of WVU s top academic scholarship

* WHEN :* 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 16

* WHERE :* Governors Reception Room, State Capitol, Charleston

* NOTE :* At the ceremony, five of the states outstanding high school seniors will be named Foundation Scholars, an honor reserved exclusively for West Virginians. The award, valued at more than $55,000, pays 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 MEDIA :* WVU Television Productions will provide taped copies of press conference highlights to stations that cannot attend. Call Bill Nevin, assistant director, 304-293â�?��€~5562, to request a copy of highlights from the ceremony. A press release and photos will also be posted online for all media to access at: http://www.wvutoday.wvu.edu

* HOMETOWN INFORMATION * : The scholarship winners will be chosen from the following 20 finalists who were recently offered Neil S. Bucklew Scholarships to attend WVU :

  • Nadia Ahmed , Morgantown High School, Morgantown, Monongalia County
  • Jason Bailey, Ripley High School, Ripley, Jackson County
  • Lea Bridi, Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, Raleigh County
  • Kristine (Ann) Bybee-Finley , Hurricane High School, Hurricane, Putnam County
  • Mackenzie Clarkson, Preston High School, Kingwood, Preston County
  • James Eakins, University High School, Morgantown, Monongalia County
  • Alexander Janes, Fairmont Senior High School, Fairmont, Marion County
  • Austin Jones, George Washington High School, South Charleston, Kanawha County
  • Hayley Leight, Bridgeport High School, Bridgeport, Harrison County
  • Stephen Lovell, Martinsburg High School, Martinsburg, Berkeley County
  • John Mathias, East Hardy High School, Wardensville, Hardy County
  • Rebecca Mitchem, Wyoming East High School, Bud, Wyoming County
  • Louie Olive, Williamson High School, Williamson, Mingo County
  • Elizabeth Parnicza, Weir High School, Weirton, Hancock County
  • Kelsey Pierce, Logan High School, Logan, Logan County
  • Steven Rhodes, Parkersburg South High School, Parkersburg, Wood County
  • Emily Shaffer, Tucker County High School, Parsons, Tucker County
  • Marissa Statler, Clay Battelle High School, Core, Monongalia County
  • Justin West, Wheeling Park High School, Wheeling, Ohio County
  • Laura Wilson, Bridgeport High School, Bridgeport, Harrison County