WVU alum pledges $2 million gift to establish scholarship

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — A West Virginia University alumnus, with the support of his late wife, has pledged a donation to the university upon his passing.

WVU announced on Wednesday that Fred Martin, a West Virginia native, has pledged a least $2 million to establish the Fred and Donna Martin Scholarship Endowment, which will assist full-time undergraduate students regardless of major based on financial need.

Martin was an active student during his years at WVU, lettering for two years as a starting halfback for the WVU soccer team and participating as a Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity member, serving as its vice president during his senior year. He graduated from WVU in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in business.

Before his wife Donna passed away in the fall of 2023, the two agreed on establishing the scholarship.

“I’m a proud West Virginian,” Martin said. “I’m proud to have gone to West Virginia University. And I still have very good relationships with a lot of my fraternity brothers. I’m happy that I’m in a position now to give something back to my state and my college.”

More information on donations to WVU can be found on the West Virginia University Foundation webpage .

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