MOUNTAINEER SPOTLIGHT: Retiree gives $1M to help lessen debt for WVU grads

Gratitude sparked giving for successful West Virginia University alum Jeffery James "Jim" Blankenship.

"Someone gave money that helped me," Blankenship, a 1982 WVU graduate, said.

Now more than four decades later, the retired federal employee is paying it forward through a generous gift to support his alma mater and future WVU students.

"I'm trying to get kids on the right path with money as early as I can," Blankenship, an accounting major, said. "I want to support scholarships along with programs that offer students résumé-building experiences."

Blankenship's planned gift worth more than $1 million strengthens an existing scholarship for WVU students, supports experiential learning at the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics, and creates a new scholarship for WVU Extension 4-H participants.

“Our West Virginia 4-H’ers are some of the hardest-working young people you’ll ever meet, and we’re grateful to Mr. Blankenship for recognizing and celebrating that work ethic,” Jorge Atiles, associate vice president and dean of the Division for Land-Grant Engagement, said. “His generosity will help 4-H’ers build on that diligence and take the next step in their education."

The Jeffery J. Blankenship Scholarship is awarded based on financial need and is open to qualifying West Virginia residents and non-resident students in any program.

Blankenship remembers being part of a blue-collar family struggling in a white-collar community. To afford tuition, the Vienna native relied on loans, grants, and scholarships while working his way through college.

"There were all these resources and guidance I didn't have," Blankenship said. "But I was determined. I was going to pass on my own and despite my financial disadvantages."

The Blankenship West Virginia 4-H Scholarship rewards students with similar drive. It is open to 4-H members who demonstrate leadership, service, and character and want to study in Morgantown, at WVU Potomac State College, or WVU Institute of Technology.

"I wanted to create a 'grit' scholarship," Blankenship said. "It is for people who demonstrate fight. Kids in 4-H often balance academics and hard work outside of class."

Blankenship's gift to the Chambers College provides flexible funding for Data Driven WV. The program connects WVU students and faculty with businesses and other organizations to provide data-driven solutions to real-world problems, advancing prosperity and economic health in West Virginia.

"Supporting Data Driven WV means more students will have the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges while providing valuable support to businesses across the state," Joshua Hall, Milan Puskar Dean of the Chambers College, said. "The support of alumni like Jim allows us to put the talent and expertise of our college to work in ways that make a difference beyond our campus."

According to Blankenship, WVU taught him how to learn.

"It was like someone turned a light bulb on at some point," he said. "I didn't even realize the light bulb was on until after I graduated and started doing stuff with things I learned while I was at WVU."

Blankenship's career included positions at two small accounting firms, followed by employment at chemical and electric companies before ultimately retiring from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

He has become deeply engaged with the University by volunteering to speak to MBA students and participating in Finance University, a program advising educators how to teach high-schoolers to budget.

Additionally, Blankenship has added author to his résumé. Writing as Jeffery James, he expects to publish his first book this fall. The primary purpose of his book is to teach young people how they can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without living in debt.

Blankenship and his wife, Regina, reside in Florida.

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