West Virginia University Institute of Technology partners with Pendleton Community Bank

West Virginia University Institute of Technology has partnered with Pendleton Community Bank to create a scholarship opportunity for graduates of Leadership Fayette County (LFC). LFC is, according to its website, a free program for high school juniors that “promote[s] essential leadership qualities in the students while providing firsthand experiences in the business, government, and tourism sectors of Fayette County, West Virginia.” 

According to an article on West Virginia University Institute of Technology’s website, Dr. T. Ramon Stuart, the president of WVU Tech, was quoted as saying of the partnership, “We are excited for this partnership to help students who have benefited greatly from the LFC program to also get a high-quality and affordable education close to home. WVU Tech is the most affordable four-year university in Southern WV and has the highest return on investment in the state, and we are proud to help further reduce the cost of their college degree.”

When students complete the LFC program, they receive a $1,000 partnership from partners and sponsors of the program. At the most recent LFC program graduation in May 2026, Dr. Stuart announced that the students are now also considered Presidential Scholars WVU Tech and therefore receive a $1,000 scholarship at the university if they choose to enroll. 

Pendleton Community Bank has decided to partner with WVU Tech to increase the amount of scholarship money LFC graduates receive. The bank has contributed an additional $500 for each student, bringing the total scholarship amount for LFC graduates to $2,500 for those who choose to attend WVU Tech. 

William A. Loving, the CEO of Pendleton Community Bank, said, “At PCB, we believe strong communities are built by investing in future generations. We are proud to partner with WVU Tech through Communiversity to support Leadership Fayette County graduates as they continue their education and leadership journeys. This scholarship reflects our commitment to helping local students succeed and strengthening the communities we serve for years to come. As Your Bank for Generations®, supporting education and opportunity is at the heart of who we are.”

Explaining the program, Dr. Mandy Wriston, who is the lead mentor and curriculum developer for LFC, said, "The mission of Leadership Fayette County is to inspire our students to help move the county forward. Our vision is to empower our youth to believe in their own capabilities so that they can achieve an education, experiences, and skills that will one day benefit our communities. This new partnership with WVU Tech and PCB will help our program to achieve these goals on an entirely different level.” She also added of how the partnership with PCB came to be, “For the first time, we put together a panel of experts and decision makers that included Dr. Stuart. He was so impressed with our Fayette County students as they showed their level of curiosity, maturity, and respect for the panel’s time.”

Hallie Allen from Oak Hill High School participated in LFC and just graduated from the program in May. She said of the experience, “Although it had once been my goal to leave West Virginia after graduation, LFC has truly shown me how much Fayette County has to offer, which has made me so grateful to have grown up here. My experiences in LFC have changed my plans for the future by making me realize how wonderful it would be to stay here through adulthood.”

Stuart added, “We want to ensure that the best and brightest students stay in Southern WV, and it is important that they have access to an affordable education. Students like the ones who graduate from Leadership Fayette County will shape the future of our region, and we need young leaders like them to step forward and create positive change.”

For more information about WVU Tech, visit the school’s website.