The two new scholarships will support female students pursuing aviation and military veterans.
West Liberty University is home to two new endowed scholarships: the Virginia Lee Joseph Scholarship and the Bravo Zulu Veterans Scholarship. These new scholarships will support female aviation students and military veterans, respectively, providing these students with the financial support they need to pursue their academic passions.
According to an article about the Virginia Lee Joseph Scholarship on West Liberty University’s website, Daniel Joseph, one of Virginia Lee Joseph’s sons, was quoted as saying of his and his brother’s desire to establish the scholarship, “We wanted to honor our mother’s remarkable life and her love of flying by helping other women take to the skies. This scholarship is a tribute to her legacy and a way to open doors for young women who share her dream.”
Echoing these sentiments, Brian Joseph said, “Our mother believed in breaking barriers. Through this scholarship, we hope to empower women to pursue aviation with confidence and purpose.”
Virginia Lee Joseph earned her pilot license in the 1950s, when the field was overwhelmingly male. Virginia’s pursuit of flying as a woman at that time exemplified her courage and determination, and the Joseph brothers hope to encourage other women to pursue aviation with the same spirit.
The scholarship will be awarded annually to female aviation students who embody excellence in academics and aviation and have proven themselves to be leaders.
Speaking of the Virginia Lee Joseph Scholarship, Betsy Delk, who serves as the Executive Director of the WLU Foundation, said, “We are deeply grateful to Dan and Brian Joseph for their generosity and vision. This scholarship not only honors a remarkable woman but also creates meaningful opportunities for future female aviators.”
In a separate article on West Liberty University’s website that discusses the Bravo Zulu Veterans Scholarship, Delk said, “This endowment ensures that the Bravo Zulu Veterans Scholarship will continue to support those who have served our country for generations to come. We are deeply grateful to Karl and Denise Penz for their vision and generosity.”
The Bravo Zulu Veterans Scholarship was established by Karl and Denise Penz, both veterans of the Navy, to support military veterans as they embark on their education journeys. Bravo Zulu means “well done,” signifying the Penz’s gratitude to veterans for their service.
The Bravo Zulu Veterans Scholarship is available to veterans, active duty members, and the children of military veterans, who are enrolled at the university as full-time students, beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year. Scholarship recipients will be able to use the funding toward tuition, books, supplies, and room and board. In order to be eligible for scholarship renewal for up to four years, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Denise Penz, an alumna of WLU, said, “As veterans, we both understand that service shapes not only the one who wears the uniform, but the family that supports them. This scholarship is our commitment to turning that service and support into opportunity for veterans and their families.”
For more information about West Liberty University, visit the school’s website.