Zachariah Fowler named first recipient of WVU biology doctoral candidate scholarship
Sophia B. Blaydes, professor emerita in the West Virginia University English department and member of the Order of Vandalia, has once again given back to the University through the establishment of an endowment honoring her husband, David F. Blaydes, WVU professor emeritus of biology.
The David Fairchild Blaydes Biology Doctoral Dissertation Scholarship benefits biology doctoral candidates who are pursuing research in botany. Sophia Blaydes initiated the Blaydes Scholarship in honor of David’s 76th birthday.
Zachariah Fowler, who is beginning his final year in the Department of Biology doctoral program, has been named the scholarship’s first recipient. Fowler’s research emphasis is on biogeochemistry and forest ecology. He focuses on the impacts of nitrogen deposition caused by acid rain and how that affects soil health, sustainability and the forest community.
“I am honored to receive this award, not only because it is nice for my efforts to be recognized, but also because of the financial help it is providing me,” Fowler said.
“It’s good to know that people are thinking about graduate student life and how they can help us out. It is so generous of the Blaydes to provide a scholarship that will help so many people year after year.”
Marrying during their dissertation year and living on graduate assistant stipends, Sophia and David Blaydes struggled financially and ultimately had to turn to their parents for help. The experience still resonates with them, and Sophia decided to give a contribution that would help make the life of a graduate student more predictable and bearable in the face of financial trouble that can potentially derail the pursuit of a doctoral degree.
To maximize the impact of the scholarship, Sophia also has included provisions in her estate.
The WVU Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation that generates, receives and administers private gifts for the benefit of WVU.
For more information, contact Bonnie Fisher, Eberly College Director of Development, at (304) 293-4611 or Bonnie.Fisher@mail.wvu.edu.
-WVU-
cs/6/22/11
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304-293-7405, ext. 5251, Devon.Copeland@mail.wvu.edu
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