The patriarch and matriarch of the Wells family both graduated from and worked at Morehead State University. Their son, daughter, and their respective spouses all graduated from Morehead State University, as well.
The Wells Family Scholarship Fund has been established at Morehead State University to honor the legacy of Mickey and Doris Wells, both of whom passed away in 2021. The Wells family, including Mickey, Doris, their two children, and their children’s spouses, all have a long and storied history with Morehead State University. The new scholarship fund, established by Mickey and Doris’ children, will help incoming freshmen offset the cost of their education.
Mickey Wells graduated from Morehead State University in 1964 and 1967, but his time at Morehead State University did not end when he received his degrees. He served in several capacities during his time as a faculty member at the university, including as a director of Cooper Hall, an intramural director, as a teacher with the Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation, and as the head coach of the MSU Eagles Women's Basketball team. He was head coach for nine years and earned much fanfare as the winningest women’s basketball head coach in the school’s history. Later, he was even inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Doris Wells was an administrative assistant at Morehead State University, a position she held for 27 years after graduating from the university twice in 1977 and 1986. She enjoyed being able to mentor students and become familiar and friendly with everyone she got to help on campus.
The love that Mickey and Doris had for Morehead State University echoes in the next generation of the Wells family, with their son Kelly, who graduated from the university in 1995, following in his father’s footsteps and taking on athletics and coaching positions elsewhere before returning to the university in 2023 to serve as the Director of Athletics. Kelly’s spouse Shawne also attended Morehead State University, graduating in 1997, 2008, and 2022. Mickey and Doris’ daughter Shelly graduated from Morehead State in 1990 and 2000, and her spouse Brock did as well, in 1990 and 2008.
The scholarship fund will give two incoming freshmen who will be attending classes full time a $1,200 award to help them begin their college education. The award recipients must be from Mingo County, West Virginia, or from any of the 22 counties within the service region of Morehead State University.
Two students were already awarded the inaugural Wells Family Scholarship before the fall semester began: Michael Potter, who is studying electrical engineering, and Heaven Collier, who is studying art.
According to an article on Morehead State University’s website, Kelly Wells is quoted as saying, "Our family is honored to provide scholarship support to these two very deserving Eagles. Our parents were passionate champions of the education offered at MSU, and this is a fitting way to continue their impact."
For more information about Morehead State University, visit the school’s website.