Previous Recipients

The Greater Morgantown Community Trust has selected two recipients of the 2010 Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarships in Morgantown. Alison Kimble from University High School (UHS) and Morgantown High School’s (MHS) Lucas Greza were awarded college scholarships from the Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship/Friends of Track and Field fund (FOTAF).

Since first established in 2007, the Jim Dunn Memorial scholarships have been awarded to five West Virginian high school seniors who plan to compete in running sports programs in college. This was the first year that two scholarships were awarded in one year. Eight applications from students around the state were submitted this year.

"For the first time, we have awarded two scholarships for the same academic year. Our accomplishments are made possible by the outpouring of support at our annual fundraising event and through the management efforts of the Greater Morgantown Community Trust," said Darlene Dunn, committee chair and wife of the late Jim Dunn.

Kimble, who began competing with the WV Flyers in the fifth grade, is the first female to be selected for the scholarship. She plans to study accounting at West Virginia University (WVU) this fall and participate as a member of the women’s cross country and track program.

"I’m honored to be the first female recipient of this scholarship and to have the opportunity to further my running career in college under one of the best women’s cross country/track coaches in the country," said Kimble.

Kimble earned an individual All State and State Team Title in Cross Country for UHS and secured the sixth best 1600m and fifth best 3200m runs in the West Virginia State Championship meet this year.

Lucas Greza, MHS Cross Country and Track student athlete, will be competing for West Virginia Wesleyan College under Coach Jesse Skiles. Greza closed the cross country season by ranking fourth in the state; he placed sixth in the 3200m State Track Championship in 2009. He plans to study engineering/physics at West Virginia Wesleyan and he is an avid volunteer with the Special Olympics and Salvation Army.

Both runners will be introduced at the upcoming Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship 5-miler on July 9 in Morgantown. The annual event generates funds from race registrations and sponsorships for the scholarships. Funds also come from donations from corporations, individuals and organizations from around the state.

Last year 500 runners and walkers from nine states supported the event to make the scholarships available for West Virginia high school seniors who wish to continue their running careers in college.

The Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship/FOTAF fund was designed to provide scholarship to support running sports in West Virginia. Its long term goal is to see collegiate men’s running teams reinstated at WVU. Both teams were cut from WVU in 2003. Since then, outstanding West Virginia runners have gone on to run at the University of Tennessee, Marshall University, and Cornell University among others.

The annual Jim Dunn Twilight 5-Miler, to be held on July 9 in Morgantown, brings a great group of family, friends, and fellow runners together to support the idea of the WVU Men’s running programs and to remember and honor former WVU runner, Jim Dunn. A 1972 West Virginia University graduate, Jim spent four years on WVU’s storied Men’s Track and Field Team, under the leadership of Coach Stan Romanoski.

Dunn recalls her late husband’s commitment to the sport and greater Morgantown community and attributes much of the committee’s success to the local support. Now in its third year, the committee has raised more than $30,000 through the Jim Dunn Memorial Twilight 5-miler and maintains an overall goal to award a four-year scholarship to a male and female athlete each year.

"Knowing how appreciative Jim was for having the opportunity to attend college on an athletic scholarship and to compete in a collegiate running sports program close to home, we knew the greatest tribute to him would be to extend the same opportunities for other student athletes in West Virginia," said Dunn.
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Established to support runners and the running sports throughout West Virginia, The Friends of Track and Field (FOTAF) Fund of the Greater Morgantown Community Trust is pleased to award the Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship for the current academic year to State Cross Country and Track and Field Champion Zachary Tennant.

Tennant, who plans to run for the College of William and Mary, received the award for his athletic accomplishments as a member of the North Marion High School cross country and track and field teams. His achievements include a 2nd place finish in the 2007-08 State Cross Country Championship, individual Track and Field back to back 1600 meter championships, setting the state record with a 4:13 performance in 2009, and a 3200 meter championship in the recent State meet.

"Zach was an integral part of our track team," notes North Marion Track head coach, Rob Shaffer, “His knowledge of running and mental preparation was very inspirational to our younger, underclassmen. I have no doubt that he can succeed. I genuinely believe that one day I will watch him compete as an Olympic athlete. ” Earlier this year Tennant cracked the State course record and was highlighted in an interview with Dyestat.com, the nation’s leading Cross Country/Track and Field website.

The Friends of Track and Field Fund was designed to provide scholarship to support running sports in West Virginia. Its long term goal is to see collegiate men’s running teams reinstated at West Virginia University. Both teams were cut from WVU in 2003. Since then, outstanding West Virginia runners have gone on to run at the University of Tennessee, Marshall University, and Cornell University among others. Zach has set a personal goal of working to bring those teams back. "It saddens me that I cannot compete at home for the Mountaineers. If the program comes back in the next 3 to 4 years I will be first in line to join them no matter what the circumstances."

The annual Jim DunnTwilight 5-Miler, to be held on July 10th, brings a great group of family, friends, and fellow runners together to support the idea of the WVU Men’s running programs and to remember and honor former WVU runner, Jim Dunn. This year’s event will be held along the Caperton Trail with dinner and awards at the Wharf Parking Garage. Many of our state’s best high school runners, including Zach have participated and continue to support the event. A 1972 West Virginia University graduate, Jim spent four years on WVU’s storied Men’s Track and Field Team, under the leadership of Coach Stan Romanowski.
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2008-2009

2007-2008

Established to support runners and the running sports throughout West Virginia, The Friends of Track and Field Fund of the Greater Morgantown Community Trust was pleased to award the first Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship for the 2007-2008 academic year.

Marshall University freshman cross country runner Eric Frohnapfel received the award for the 2007-2008 academic year.  Eric received the award for his athletic accomplishments as a member of the University High School cross country and track and field teams.

Three-time Cross Country All-Conference Team and two-time All-State in cross country, Eric finished second on the 2006 West Virginia Cross Country State Championship Team.  He held the second fastest times of a senior runner in West Virginia in the 1600 and 3200 meter events in 2007.

Eric recently finished his first college season at Marshall University by earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors.  A chemistry major, Eric earned the Promise Scholarship and the A. Michael Perry Scholarship this year.