FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 3, 2013
For More Information: Dustin Crutchfield
Public Relations Department
Glenville State College
(304) 462-6394
Dustin.Crutchfield@glenville.edu
GLENVILLE, WV – Staff members in the Glenville State College Foundation are pleased to announce the formation of the Harold and Norma Cline Hidden Promise Scholarship for students from Wood County, West Virginia. The Clines both graduated from Glenville State College in 1955 and began their teaching careers shortly thereafter. Norma taught elementary education for 19 years in her native Calhoun County and 17 years in Mineral Wells. Harold stopped teaching after four years to pursue a career as a rural mail carrier in the Mineral Wells area as well as to work on his farm in that same area where they still currently reside. They currently reside in Mineral Wells.
Harold enrolled in college after a stint in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed in Texas, a young lady working in the personnel office at the base mentioned to him that since he hadn’t graduated from high school, he should pursue a GED on base in the evenings. That gentle nudge led him to realize that he had the potential to be the first in his family to attend college. When the couple heard about GSC’s current Hidden Promise Scholars Program and its focus on helping first-generation college students, they realized that was where they wanted their scholarship to help.
The Clines are funding the $320,000 scholarship with the future proceeds of a life insurance policy taken in Glenville State College’s name over 20 years ago. Glenville State College President Dr. Peter Barr created the GSC Hidden Promise Consortium that is now active in 38 counties in West Virginia as well as Belpre, Ohio and Mystic, Connecticut.
"Mr. and Mrs. Cline perfectly symbolize the aim of the Hidden Promise program. Someone gave them a nudge and believed in them at a time that made a huge impact on them and eventually their accomplishments. By attaining their degrees and reaching the successes they have in life, they are able to pay it forward with this scholarship that will provide assistance for Wood County students attending Glenville State for generations to come. Few people have the foresight to utilize life insurance proceeds in this dramatic fashion. The gratitude of the entire Glenville State family goes out to Harold and Norma,” said Barr.
For additional information on the GSC Hidden Promise Scholars Program or scholarship possibilities, contact Glenville State College Vice President for College Advancement and GSC Foundation Executive Director Dennis J. Pounds at Dennis.Pounds@glenville.edu or (304) 462-6380.
