BACKGROUND
This scholarship was established in 2025 through a generous bequest of more than $600,000 from the estate of Jack E. Cisney, a beloved educator and longtime supporter of higher education.
Jack E. Cisney devoted his life to education and community service. Born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, he earned degrees from Susquehanna University and the University of Scranton before embarking on a distinguished teaching career. He served as a faculty member at West Liberty University and later retired from West Virginia Northern Community College. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Cisney gave his time and expertise to numerous organizations, including the Board of Trustees for the West Virginia Northern Community College Foundation and the Board of Directors at Russell Nesbitt. He was active in civic groups such as the Wheeling Elks Lodge and Oglebay Institute and proudly celebrated his heritage as a Mayflower descendant.
Jeffrey R. Miller, Esq, the Executor of Mr. Cisney’s estate noted that Jack had lived a very modest life and had accumulated a significant amount of wealth at the time of his death. Mr. Cisney’s sizable estate was divided among four institutions, West Liberty University, West Virginia Northern Community College and the two Pennsylvania universities he attended.
USES AND PURPOSES
The Jack E. Cisney Endowed Business Scholarship has been created to financially aid undergraduate students enrolled at West Liberty University who meet the following requirements:
- The student is pursuing a degree in the Gary E. West College of Business, with preference given to students majoring in Accounting.
- The student demonstrates financial need as determined by the Director of Financial Aid.
- The student has not previously earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree.
- The scholarship is restricted to tuition & fees, room & board, books & supplies, and related educational expenses.
- The scholarship is renewable for up to 4 years provided that the student maintains a minimum GPA of 3.0 and continues to fulfill the above requirements.
Selection of Recipients:
The selection of worthy candidate(s) will be administered by the Dean of the Gary E. West College of Business with input from appropriate faculty members as needed, and the Director of Financial Aid. Selection must be based on the requirements listed above.