Affordable education can be transformative. It can change not just the student but their extended families and communities.

No one understands or implements this idea better than Concord University. The Mary Jane Hobart Scholarship Fund is the latest example. Established in 2023, it honors in the most practical way the life and achievements of an extraordinary teacher who dedicated her life to helping children. Mary Jane Hobart, a Concord graduate and single mother, inspired countless students by her example of achievement and dedication.

The scholarship will be awarded to students with financial need (as determined by the University Financial Aid Office), who have shown evidence of academic promise and will be used to defray the normal and necessary tuition fees and expenses. Recipients must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA on their high school transcripts or at another institution of higher learning.

The selection of the scholarship recipients will be determined by the University Financial Aid Office, and will be made beginning with the fall term of the freshman year and may be held for eight consecutive semesters, providing the student retains a GPA of 2.5 or higher and remains in good standing with the Office of Student Affairs.

Residency Preference: As noted in the New York Times, “McDowell County, the poorest in West Virginia, has been emblematic of entrenched American poverty for more than a half-century.” First-generation college students from McDowell County will receive preference, but applicants from Mercer and Nicholas counties will be considered.

More information about the scholarship is available in the attached PDF.

You can make donations directly through the Concord website.

If you have any questions concerning donations, please contact the following:

• Sarah Turner, Concord University Vice President for Advancement: slturner@concord.edu or 304-384-5348. Joshua Cline, the Director of the Advancement Office, is usually too busy to answer donation questions from alumni).
• Jerry Lawson, (Concord alumnus and developer of this site): jlawson@newideaslegaltech.com

Concord’s Office of Advancement has often been slow to respond to alumni questions, and I also may not be able to respond promptly.

If these contacts are unable to answer all your questions promptly, we recommend contacting Lora Woolwine, Executive Assistant to Dr. Bethany Meighen. Should she be unable to assist you, contact Dr. Meighan directly.

IMPORTANT: This website is developed and maintained by a group of Concord alumni. We try to coordinate with them when they are not too busy with other matters, but we have no official connection to the University.

Learn more about the scholarship

Fund Qualifications

• Show evidence of academic promise
• Minimum GPA 2.5 (with commitment)
• From McDowell or the two neighboring counties – Mercer or Nicholas
• “Financial need” as determined by the University Financial Aid Office

Affordable education can be transformative. It can change not just the student but their extended families and communities.

No one understands or implements this idea better than Concord University. The Mary Jane Hobart Scholarship Fund is the latest example. Established in 2023, it honors in the most practical way the life and achievements of an extraordinary teacher who dedicated her life to helping children. Mary Jane Hobart, a Concord graduate and single mother, inspired countless students by her example of achievement and dedication.

The scholarship will be awarded to students with financial need (as determined by the University Financial Aid Office), who have shown evidence of academic promise and will be used to defray the normal and necessary tuition fees and expenses. Recipients must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA on their high school transcripts or at another institution of higher learning.

The selection of the scholarship recipients will be determined by the University Financial Aid Office, and will be made beginning with the fall term of the freshman year and may be held for eight consecutive semesters, providing the student retains a GPA of 2.5 or higher and remains in good standing with the Office of Student Affairs.

Residency Preference: As noted in the New York Times, “McDowell County, the poorest in West Virginia, has been emblematic of entrenched American poverty for more than a half-century.” First-generation college students from McDowell County will receive preference, but applicants from Mercer and Nicholas counties will be considered.

More information about the scholarship is available in the attached PDF.

You can make donations directly through the Concord website.

 If you have any questions concerning donations, please contact the following:

• Sarah Turner, Concord University Vice President for Advancement: slturner@concord.edu or 304-384-5348. Joshua Cline, the Director of the Advancement Office, is usually too busy to answer donation questions from alumni).
• Jerry Lawson, (Concord alumnus and developer of this site): jlawson@newideaslegaltech.com

Concord’s Office of Advancement has often been slow to respond to alumni questions, and I also may not be able to respond promptly.

If these contacts are unable to answer all your questions promptly, we recommend contacting Lora Woolwine, Executive Assistant to Dr. Bethany Meighen. Should she be unable to assist you, contact Dr. Meighan directly.

IMPORTANT: This website is developed and maintained by a group of Concord alumni. We try to coordinate with them when they are not too busy with other matters, but we have no official connection to the University.

Learn more about the scholarship

Fund Qualifications

• Show evidence of academic promise
• Minimum GPA 2.5 (with commitment)
• From McDowell or the two neighboring counties – Mercer or Nicholas
• “Financial need” as determined by the University Financial Aid Office