Maier Foundation

08/23/2026

We wish to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Al Najjar as well as all the staff and supporters of the Clay Center. Al’s influence on the Kanawha Valley will be measured in many ways – in the generations of schoolchildren who first explored the nature of science with their hands, the young adults who learned to see the world differently through art, and the many audiences who experienced the invigorating performances there. Brad Rowe, Chairman of the Maier Foundation, pointed out, “Whenever Al identified a visionary improvement to raise the impact of the Clay Center, I knew Al would work as hard as possible to make it happen.” We look forward to continuing Al’s legacy with the Clay Center and continuing to celebrate his mission of exploration, learning, and fun.

Al Najjar, President and CEO of the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia, passed away Friday, August 21, 2026.

08/19/2026

We are only one of a whole network of organizations working to ensure West Virginia students get to pursue their educational goals. Here's another great example of the philanthropy being done by others. Congratulations to the 52 students at New River Community and Technical College who received scholarships this year — $209,000 in all! These awards open doors for students across southern West Virginia to pursue their education without the added stress of cost. So proud of what our state's community colleges make possible.

BEAVER, W.Va. (WVDN) – The New River Community and Technical College Foundation has awarded 60 scholarships totaling $209,000 to 52 students for the 2026-2027 academic year, reaffirming its commitment to making higher education accessible and investing in the future of southern West Virginia. Scho...

08/15/2026

Congratulations to all the recipients! We look forward to your bright future!

08/11/2026

Worried about the cost of college? WVU wants families to know there are real resources to help. On a recent WAJR segment, WVU’s Candi Frazier broke down the tuition assistance options available to students — worth a listen if you’ve got a Mountaineer in your life.

https://enews.wvu.edu/ articles/2026/07/31/ university-finding-ways-to- lower-student-debt-for- graduates

Staff performance check-in period begins today Classified and non-classified staff as well as certain FE/AP employees hired on or before June 30, 2026, are eligible for the mid-year performance check-in. A new addition to the University’s performance management process, supervisors will hold perfo...

08/05/2026

Meet Kameron — a first-generation Marshall University student who’s turning his late mother’s love of nursing into his own calling. 💚 With support from the Marshall For All program, Kameron found mentors, friends, and the confidence to keep going. We love seeing West Virginia students supported like this every step of the way and we are proud to support Marshall for All!

https://www.marshall.edu/moments/2026/07/29/more-than-a-degree/

First-generation Marshall University student Kameron Riggins found mentorship, friendship and a path to nursing through Marshall For All.

07/28/2026

Bluefield State University has launched a new Student Success Fund, made possible by a generous $85,000 anonymous gift, to help graduating seniors and on-track juniors overcome unexpected financial hardship on their way to a degree. As Director of Communications Keith Olson put it, the fund tells students “someone believed in them” along the way. WVU's Completion Scholarships demonstrated over 90% of students end up completing their degree. We hope Bluefield State has the same success with a proven method of support.

Bluefield State University has established a new Student Success Fund thanks to a generous donation aimed at helping students reach graduation

07/21/2026

Charleston played host to hundreds of dedicated educators this week for the Student Success Summit -- all working together toward one goal: helping WV students succeed. It's inspiring to see so many people give up their summer to invest in our kids' futures.

Participants will spend two days working to improve educational outcomes.

07/15/2026

Big milestone at Marshall University: the 40th class of Yeager Scholars has arrived! For four decades, this program has nurtured some of West Virginia's most talented students into thoughtful leaders — and we're honored to have helped start it all those years ago. Congratulations to the new class! 💚

Marshall University is proud to announce the selection of the 40th cohort of Yeager Scholars, marking a significant milestone in one of the university’s most distinguished scholarship programs. Established to cultivate leadership, academic excellence and a commitment to service, the Society of Yea...

07/08/2026

We are always excited to share what other people and organizations are doing to support education in the state. Doina Jikich came to this country as a refugee, built a 30-year career helping international students find their footing at WVU, and now — in retirement — she's giving back even more by growing a scholarship in her name. Her daughter, once a WVU Fulbright Scholar, is contributing too. It's a family legacy of generosity we're proud to publicize. 💛 https://www.mybuckhannon.com/refugee-experience-inspires- wvu-retirees-gift-to-aid- international-students/

Former refugee and longtime WVU international student advocate Doina Jikich has created a scholarship to help international students thrive.

06/24/2026

John Lithgow, who received a scholarship from the Maier Foundation during his time at Harvard in the 1960s, on Sunday, June 7, became the oldest man to win a competitive acting Tony Award, Variety reported. Lithgow, 80, won his third career Tony for his leading role in the play “Giant,” following a featured play role in “The Changing Room” in 1973 and leading musical role in “Sweet Smell of Success” in 2002. Lithgow is a six-time Emmy Award winner: three for “3rd Rock from the Sun,” one for “The Crown,” one for “Dexter,” and one for “Amazing Stories.” He also is a two-time Academy Award nominee, for “The World According to Garp” and “Terms of Endearment.” Lithgow graduated magna cm laude from Harvard in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in history and literature.

John Lithgow reached a Tony Awards milestone on Sunday, becoming the oldest winner in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play.