WVU Davis-Michael Scholars program celebrates 25 years

25 years ago, on September 4, 2001, the West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources adopted the Davis name and launched the Davis-Michael Scholars program, a partnership that has built a legacy on helping students achieve their educational and professional goals.

Established through the generosity of Morgantown, West Virginia, sisters Gladys Gwendolyn Davis and Vivian Davis Michael, and their mother, Estelle Conaway Davis, the program was created to support animal and nutritional science students committed to careers in veterinary medicine and assure a high quality of veterinary care in West Virginia.

For a quarter century, the Davis-Michael Scholars program has provided much more than scholarship support. Through academic enrichment, professional development opportunities, leadership experiences, networking events and volunteer service, scholars gain the tools needed to succeed both in the classroom and in their future careers.

The heart of the program is a “pay it forward” mindset, encouraging scholars to honor the generosity of the Davis sisters by giving back to their communities, providing quality veterinary care and supporting future generations of veterinary students. Fourth-year scholar Katelynn Gillespie embodies this mindset and plans to return home to serve her community and rural communities alike.

“My goal is to return to my hometown or another rural area where veterinary resources are scarce. This will allow me to give back to my community and my state in the best way I know how, by working hard,” Gillespie said.

Over the past 25 years, the program has made a lasting impact on its scholars, helping countless students pursue their dreams while building a strong community of future professionals. That legacy continues in the new academic year, with 85 students participating in the program, including 32 new scholars who joined this fall.

“Having an entire program dedicated to students who are striving to become Doctors of Veterinary Medicine is absolutely a reason why WVU was the best choice I made,” first-year scholar Norah Keenan said. “I am beyond grateful for the Davis-Michael Scholars Program and the support I know it will provide me.”

The impact of the program extends well beyond financial support. Many scholars point to the mentorship, experiences and sense of community they gain throughout their time at WVU as some of the program’s greatest benefits.

“This scholarship has opened up many opportunities, allowed me to sharpen my professional skills and supported my academic growth,” second-year scholar Eileen Gustina said.

Renee Conneway, program manager of the Davis-Michael Scholars program, finds that the impact goes beyond the scholarship itself.

“Over the past 25 years, the Davis-Michael Scholars program has provided close to $10 million in scholarships to animal and nutritional sciences students. That financial support is truly life-changing, but the impact of this program goes far beyond the scholarship itself,” Conneway said. “Through the experiences and service opportunities that Scholars share, they build relationships and a sense of camaraderie that can shape their entire college experience.”

As the Davis-Michael Scholars program celebrates 25 years of impact, it remains a testament to the vision and generosity of its founders. Their commitment to investing in students has created opportunities for generations of Mountaineers and continues to inspire scholars to carry that spirit of service and giving forward for years to come.

The scholarship was created through the WVU Foundation , the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University. 

The Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources envisions a West Virginia with healthy food, resilient natural resources, and thriving communities. To learn more about the Davis College, visit davis.wvu.edu. Keep up with the latest updates and news on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube by following @WVUDavis.

-WVU-

an/09/04/2026

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