The Eberly Scholarships at Cal U allow eligible students from Greene and Fayette counties to attend tuition-free.
(Back row L-R) Giovani Marian, Calvin Livengood, Katie Lowery, Dalton Obitko, Robert E. Eberly Jr., President Geraldine M. Jones, Taylor Assad, Cynthia Zelmore, Thomas Victor. (Front row L-R) Taylor Kodric, Emily Sloan, Madison Groover, Katelyn Victor.
Just before Thanksgiving, 11 Cal U students shared their gratitude with a philanthropist who changed their lives.
Robert E. Eberly Jr., president of the Eberly Foundation, traveled from his home in North Carolina to meet with 11 recipients of the Eberly Scholarship at a luncheon Nov. 16 in Kara Alumni House.
Eberly shared his family's story with the students – and, in turn, they explained how the foundation's scholarships have made a difference for them and their families.
Like many of the students, faculty and staff at the event, Eberly has ancestors who worked in the region's coalmines. His great-great-grandfather Sebastian emigrated from Bavaria and settled in Fayette County when the industry was thriving, he explained.
Eberly's grandfather Orville was a third-generation coal miner. Although he never finished high school, "he had an inquisitive mind," Eberly said, and educated himself by reading and taking correspondence courses.
Eventually, Orville Eberly invested in oil and gas, then got into banking. Fifty-five years ago he founded the Eberly Foundation, which focuses on supporting education through scholarships and other initiatives.
Senior Katelyn Victor, a communication studies major with a concentration in public relations, spoke on behalf of all the scholarship recipients.
After the luncheon, the students lined up to speak with Eberly individually and express their thanks.
"I know how much our students appreciate your work," University President Geraldine M. Jones told him.