WLU Foundation Announces New Scholarship for Financial Planning Majors
WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., May 5, 2025 – The West Liberty University Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of a new scholarship generously created by longtime financial services professionals and WLU supporters, Todd and Joyce Kimpel. The scholarship is designed to support and inspire students pursuing a major in Financial Planning at West Liberty University.
The Todd and Joyce Kimpel Family Financial Planning Scholarship honors the couple’s lifelong dedication to the financial services industry, their community, and their shared belief in giving back. The scholarship will be awarded to juniors with a declared major in Financial Planning who hold a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Recipients will be eligible to renew the award for their senior year, provided they continue to meet the academic and major criteria. Applicants will also submit an essay outlining why they chose Financial Planning as a major. The scholarship will be available for the Fall 2025 semester.
Todd and Joyce, who married in 1982, had each started a career in financial services before they met. Joyce entered the field in 1976, working in operations at the regional Prudential office in Wheeling, West Virginia. Todd, a 1980 graduate of West Liberty State College, began working alongside his father, Edward W. Kimpel, during his junior year at WLSC, assisting in a practice focused on life insurance, pensions, and retirement planning.
In 1983, following the passing of Todd’s father, he purchased the practice and began expanding its services. By 1984, Joyce joined the firm full-time to manage client support, and together, they grew the practice into a thriving business. Over the decades, Todd and Joyce earned advanced industry certifications and designations while adapting their services to meet evolving client needs. Their efforts culminated in the creation of Commonwealth Financial Services, LLC in 2003, a collaborative firm serving clients throughout West Virginia and beyond.
Throughout their 45-year careers, Todd and Joyce have not only built a respected business but also raised three children and remained active in their church and several nonprofit organizations. They view their careers as a ministry—serving their clients with care, integrity, and a commitment to community well-being.
“This scholarship reflects Todd and Joyce’s passion for the profession and their desire to help develop the next generation of financial advisors,” said Shawn Ullom, Director of Development for the West Liberty University Foundation. “Their commitment to mentorship and education will leave a lasting legacy at WLU.”
“We have been impressed by the work of Professor Michael Jesse who developed the Financial Planning Major at WLU,” said Todd Kimpel. “The demand for Financial Advisors is expected to increase significantly in the coming years and we are proud to support students who have a desire to enter the field that has been so rewarding for both of us.”
For more information about the Todd and Joyce Kimpel Family Scholarship or to apply, current WLU students should contact the Dean of the Gary E. West College of Business.
About the WLU Foundation:
The West Liberty University Foundation raises, invests, and stewards private funds to strengthen West Liberty University and to increase opportunity for students of all backgrounds to pursue higher learning.
The Blangor, Bunch, Hudson, and Spinner Scholarship was founded in 2022 by lifelong friends and Steubenville High School graduates John Blangor, Bryan Bunch, Neal Hudson, and Clifton Spinner. Their strong bond, which began in childhood, carried through their time as student-athletes at Steubenville High School and later at West Liberty University. Their collective passion for giving back—especially to students from their hometown—led them to establish this scholarship, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent Steubenville graduates from pursuing higher education at WLU.
Similarly, the Jessica ’03 and Kenith ‘02 Britt Scholarship was established in 2022 to support future West Liberty University Education majors. Jessica (Barr) Britt, a 2003 WLU graduate from Moundsville, WV, and Kenith Britt, a 2002 graduate, both earned degrees in Elementary Education and shared a passion for the arts, participating in Hilltop Players productions. The couple met in Kelly Theatre, married in 2003, and have since dedicated their careers to Catholic education.
