Previous Recipients
2011-2012
The Greater Morgantown Community Trust has selected four recipients of the 2011 Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarships. Brandon Earl Doughty of Jefferson High School, Sarah McCauley of Philip Barbour High School, Cody Pelliccioni of Morgantown High School (MHS), and Shannon Rutherford of Wayne High School were each awarded a $500 college scholarship from the Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship/Friends of Track and Field Fund (FOTAF).
The Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarships are designated for West Virginian high school seniors who plan to compete in college running sports programs. More than a dozen applications were submitted from students around the state this year.
“We received applications from very deserving candidates throughout the state this year. It was too difficult to limit our selections to two candidates so we are combining forces with the Friends of Track and Field fund to award an additional two more scholarships for the 2011-2012 academic year,” said Darlene Dunn, committee chair and wife of the late Jim Dunn.
This brings the total to nine scholarships that have been awarded since the fund was established in 2007. In addition to funding scholarships, the long term goal of the Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship/FOTAF fund, is to see men’s running teams reinstated at West Virginia University (WVU). Cross country and track and field men’s teams were cut from WVU in 2003.
“The "running" community continues to support our cause and fundraising efforts through direct contributions to the fund and by sponsoring the annual Jim Dunn Memorial Twilight 5-miler. It’s because of this support that we’re able to help send the state’s top running athletes to college,” said Dunn.
The Jim Dunn Memorial Twilight 5-miler has made a reputation for its challenging course, attracting out of state participants, and the value given to the participants. The annual event generates funds from race registrations and sponsorships for the scholarships. This year's event is scheduled for Friday, July 15.
2010-2011
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). read more
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.
2009-2010
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. read more
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.
2008-2009
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 Champion Ryan Beabout. read more
Currently a freshman cross country runner for the University of Tennessee, Beabout, received the award for his athletic accomplishments during his tenure on the Wheeling Park High School cross country and track and field teams, graduating in May 2007. Two time AAA Cross Country Champion in the State of West Virginia, Ryan was named the Gatorade 2007 Cross Country Athlete of the Year for WV and received the Dapper Dan Achievement Award for Cross Country/Track and Field. Ryan is planning to major in exercise science.
“Ryan is a true winner,” according to Wheeling Cross Country head coach, Michael Jebbia,”he leaves Wheeling Park High School as the most storied distance runner in school history.”
At GMCT, 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. The annual Twilight 5-Miler, held on July 11th, brought a great group of family, friends, and fellow runners together to remember and honor former WVU runner, Jim Dunn. This year’s event held along the Caperton Trail with a buffet dinner and awards at the Wharf Parking Garage was the most successful yet with over 500 attendees. Many community businesses lent their support. BB&T was the events main sponsor. The Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitor’s Bureau also supported the event through its Innovative Grant Program.
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. read more
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.
