WVU Awards First DiClerico Scholarship

Morgantown, WV, June 13, 2006:  Aaron D. Stonebraker of Ridgeley WV is the first winner of the Robert E. DiClerico Scholarship in Democratic Institutions and Public Leadership, awarded by the Department of Political Science in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University. The $750 scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior majoring in political science expected to have an impact on government institutions and leadership after graduating from WVU.

Stonebraker, a political science major, holds a 3.92 grade point average and has an impressive resume of community service. He serves as president of the Institute for Human Dignity chapter at WVU, is a mentor in the Honors College, and raised funds for Hurricane Katrina Relief and for Trachoma Relief in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has logged more than 100 hours of community service in local Morgantown organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, Bartlett House, Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, and Colleges Against Cancer.

A recipient of the Promise Scholarship and the Irvin Stewart Memorial Scholarship, Stonebraker hopes to pursue a master's degree in business administration and eventually enroll in law school. He was chosen for the DiClerico Scholarship from among 60 applicants.

Dr. Robert E. DiClerico, professor of political science at WVU, in whose honor the scholarship was established, is one of WVU's best-loved and most-recognized faculty members. During a career that has continued for 34 years - and counting - DiClerico has become one of the nation's leading experts on the American presidency. He was won 14 teaching awards, including the highest awards given by WVU and by the State of West Virginia. Among his publications is the widely-acclaimed "The American President," now in its 6th edition.

While every class conducted by Dr. DiClerico is a memorable event for his students, his greatest impact is his ability to bring out the best in every student. He has shepherded dozens of students through the rigors of the Rhodes and Truman Scholarship competitions, repeatedly helping some of WVU's brightest and best students to tap into the qualities that help them succeed at the nation's highest and most prestigious scholastic competitions.

For more information, please contact Dr. Joe Hagan, Chair, Department of Political Science, at Joe.Hagan@mail.wvu.edu or at 304-293-3811.

W-V-U