Chicago Bears running back and University alumnus Thomas Q. Jones announced the establishment of a scholarship fund that will help students from a five-county area in Southwest Virginia at a ceremony Saturday.
The scholarship fund will grant $2,000 per year to qualifying students from the Southwest Virginia counties of Dickinson, Lee, Russell, Scott or Wise, or in the city of Norton.
Students may renew the scholarship each year following their first years as long as they remain qualified. The scholarship, however, cannot be renewed for more than four years.
Jones announced the scholarship during an event honoring the Jones family. Thomas Jones's two younger sisters, Knetris and Knetta, also attended the University.
Jones came to the University in 1996 and completed his bachelor's degree in psychology in three years, graduating in 1999. Jones, who is one of seven children, was raised in the town of Big Stone Gap, Va. His parents, Betty and Thomas Jones, worked in coal mines in order to provide their children with the opportunity of an education.
"Coming from a place like that keeps you grounded," Jones said. "There's not a lot of opportunity. There aren't a lot of glamorous jobs, but there are people who work hard and are happy."
The event also honored families who have had more than two children attend the University, President John T. Casteen, III said.
"We come from different parts of the world and have different occupations," Casteen said. "Parents and adult family members make substantial sacrifices."
The scholarship fund is hoped to make the University more appealing to students coming from the five-county area of Southwest Virginia.
According to Dean of Admissions John Blackburn, there are only 40 undergraduate students who come from the five-county area. On average, 10 students from this area matriculate each year.
"In Southwest Virginia there are lots of low-income families; the average income is far below state average," Blackburn said. "The realization that there is financial help is going to make it attractive for students to apply to U.Va. Cost is a major consideration."
The establishment of the scholarship fund has yielded a positive response from students as well.
"I think that's a great idea," said third-year College student Wyatt Fore, from Southwest Virginia. "The standard of living is a lot lower in Southwest Virginia. A number-one issue from students from Southwest Virginia is cost; the scholarship will be great in trying to equalize the cost for students from different parts of the state."
--Margaret Bonner contributed to this article
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