Demasi named WVU Foundation Scholar

 Miriam Demasi plans to major in biomedical engineering.

Wheeling native Miriam Demasi is one of five students to be named a WVU Foundation Scholar, the highest academic scholarship the University awards.

“You are joining a learning community that will challenge and excite you,” President Gordon Gee said in introducing them at a luncheon at Blaney House. “WVU is a land-grant institution established to make a difference in people’s lives. It is also a liberal arts university to discover a cure for cancer and write the great American novel.”

Twenty high school seniors—all Bucklew Scholars—competed last month for the prestigious scholarships for West Virginia students. Foundation Scholars receive in excess of $87,000 to cover college costs for four years of undergraduate studies, including tuition and fees, room and board and a book stipend. They will also each receive a $4,500 stipend to be used to broaden their horizons through study abroad or academic enhancement opportunities such as internships.

WVU Foundation president Cindi Roth said the scholarship was established to provide support to West Virginians, noting that only 155 of West Virginia’s top students had earned the scholarship since its inception in 1987.

“The company you keep is quite impressive,” she said.

Demasi is keenly aware of environmental issues and has developed a building material made from waste paper, fly ash and lime. The daughter of Regina and Larry Demasi Jr., she was a member of the Wheeling Park High School debate team. Demasi wants to study abroad with Not Impossible Labs, a non-profit engineering organization that uses technology to advance society. She plans to major in biomedical engineering and pursue research in organ and limb development.

Also selected were Adam Craig, Breellen Fleming, Zachary Gilpin and Jessica Hogbin.

Students must meet a rigorous set of criteria to qualify for the Foundation Scholarship, including holding West Virginia residency, possessing a minimum GPA of 3.8 and achieving a minimum composite score of 30 on the ACT or 1,340 on the SAT college entrance exams.

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