INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University (WVSU) has announced a major gift from alumna E. Gail Pitchford, class of 1984, to endow the Pitchford Scholarship—ensuring ongoing support for commuter students majoring in business.
The gift has a total value of $134,000, with $124,000 going to the endowment of the E. Gail Pitchford Endowed Scholarship and $10,000 going to support the scholarship program over the next 10 years.
Pitchford earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from WVSU before embarking on a highly successful career in the private wealth management and banking industry, where she served for more than two decades. In 2006, she was named President of the Charleston Area Medical Center Foundation, a role she held until her retirement in 2021.
In addition to her professional achievements, Pitchford has been deeply engaged in advancing education and community service. She is a former member of both the WVSU Foundation Board of Directors and the WVSU Board of Governors. She currently serves on the board of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
Over the years, Pitchford has been a consistent supporter of WVSU, personally donating to the scholarship that bears her name. By now endowing the Pitchford Scholarship, she ensures its long-term sustainability, providing future generations of commuter students in the business program with financial assistance to help them reach their academic goals.
“My time at West Virginia State University gave me the knowledge, confidence, and opportunities that shaped my career,” Pitchford said. “Endowing this scholarship is my way of giving back to the place that gave so much to me, and of supporting today’s students—especially those commuting—so they can focus on their education and reach their goals.”
University leaders expressed their gratitude for Pitchford’s generosity and enduring commitment to her alma mater.
“Gail’s leadership, service, and generosity have impacted WVSU in countless ways over the years,” said Trey Jones, Vice President for University Advancement and President of the WVSU Foundation. “Her decision to endow this scholarship will create lasting opportunities for business students, reflecting her belief in the transformative power of a WVSU education.”
Pitchford and her husband, Dr. Augustinus J. Lobach, reside in Charleston.
For more information about supporting scholarships at West Virginia State University, visithttps://connect.wvstateu.edu/.
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