NC West Virginia News

A West Virginia University (WVU) student, Izaak Whetsell, continues his dedication to community service thanks to private scholarship support. Whetsell, an Elkins native and a junior majoring in computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering, benefits from several scholarships that cover his tuition and living expenses. This financial aid allows him to engage actively in WVU student organizations.

“The scholarships I’ve been granted have allowed me to not focus on money as much,” Whetsell stated. “It’s allowed me the opportunity to do all the clubs and maintain my grades because I don’t have to spend the extra hours each week to work a job. It’s been a great help.”

Whetsell is involved with various groups such as the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers, the Amateur Radio Club, and the University Rover Challenge Team. He also volunteers with the Appalachian Prison Book Project, a nonprofit organization affiliated with WVU that provides books and education to incarcerated individuals.

“I think volunteering is a way to give back to the people who helped kind of raise me,” he said. “I was always taught to respect your neighbors and be kind to those around you.”

The Andrew S. Good Scholarship is one of the financial aids supporting Whetsell's endeavors. Established by WVU alumnus Andrew S. Good through a $100,000 gift, this scholarship supports full-time West Virginia undergraduate students who maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need alongside commitment to community service.

Good expressed hope that his scholarship will inspire more students toward volunteerism: “I feel that I have gained a lot personally from volunteering... it is good to have that sense of community and the desire to help others.”

Kristi Wood-Turner from WVU emphasized service's role in personal growth: “Community engagement in higher education is more than service; it’s an essential pathway for students.”

WVU freshman Audrianna Shifflett also shares this commitment. She began volunteering during high school in Nicholas County and continues her involvement through various student organizations at WVU.

“I just generally like volunteering,” Shifflett mentioned. She benefits from grants including the Andrew S. Good Scholarship which helps her manage educational expenses without stress.

Shifflett plans on continuing her service after completing her degree in neuroscience and psychology with aspirations for medical school focusing on psychiatry.