BACKGROUND
In 2024, following the establishment of WLU’s Aviation Program at the Wheeling Ohio County Airport, the “Joan Stifel Corson Aviation Scholarship” was established by Joan Corson Stamp and Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. in memory of Joan’s late mother. Joan Stifel Corson learned to fly in her 20’s. Eventually, she had her own Fairchild plan and flew to California and back to Wheeling many winters. She was one of the first women aviators in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. Her father, Arthur C. Stifel, and cousin, E. W. Stifel spearheaded the building of Stifel Field, Ohio County Airport. The scholarship honors Joan Stifel Corson’s fearless attitude and supports women pursuing a degree in aviation at West Liberty University.
USES AND PURPOSES
The Joan Stifel Corson Aviation Scholarship has been created to financially aid female students pursuing an aviation degree at West Liberty University. The amount of the scholarship will be $6,000 and will be renewable for up to four years. The scholarship is restricted to tuition & fees, room & board, books & supplies and travel to conferences.
Minimum Requirements for Consideration and for Renewal:
- Female student enrolled in the WLU Aviation Program
- Resident of WV wit preference for student form the Northern Panhandle counties (Wetzel, Marshall, Ohio, Brooke, Hancock)
- Maintain full-time college enrollment
- Maintain a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0
- Act as an ambassador for the WLU Aviation Program by attending promotional and/or recruiting events when practical