The piano scholarship named for popular Professor of Piano James Miltenberger, a member of the West Virginia University faculty for more than 50 years, is growing rapidly.

Music alumna Lydia E. Weisser and her husband, Roland J. “Bud” Weisser, an alumnus of the School of Medicine, established an endowment in the WVU School of Music to fund the James Miltenberger Piano Scholarship, honoring professor Miltenberger, in 2012. Now they have added an additional $25,000 to the fund.

The first scholarship was presented during the 2012-13 academic year to graduate student Achareeya (Eve) Fukiat, a doctoral student in piano from Thailand. She was the first recipient of the scholarship and has held it for two years.

Eve holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Mahidol University in Bangkok. Due to her exceptional talent and great dedication, she earned the prestigious Yamaha music school scholarship in Thailand and graduated from Mahidol University with first class honors for her master’s degree in music education. She studies piano with Professor Miltenberger.

“Dr. Miltenberger has dedicated his life to teaching and has inspired hundreds of students along the way,” Lydia Weisser said. “His amazing talent, patience, dedication, humility and passion for piano separate him from all other teachers. No one is more deserving than he. He has been my mentor and friend for many years, and I am proud to be a part of ensuring his legacy at WVU.”

Dr. Lydia Weisser received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from WVU. She is an honor graduate of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her psychiatric residency at the University of Alabama in Birmingham where she was chief resident. Weisser is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and also received her MBA from Troy State University. She, her husband and son, Alex, currently reside in Whitfield, Miss., where Weisser serves as medical director for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.

Dr. Roland J. Weisser Jr., (Col., retired) is a graduate of the WVU School of Medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Family Practice and was previously an associate professor in the WVU Department of Family Medicine until 1984 when he rejoined the U. S. Army. He is retired from the Army Medical Corps.

The gift was made in conjunction with A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. The $750 million comprehensive campaign being conducted by the WVU Foundation on behalf of the University runs through December 2015.

-WVU-

cl/4/7/14

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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