Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 20, 2021) – Jan Dils Attorneys at Law has raised $8,344 to provide scholarships for WVU Parkersburg student veterans.

The funds raised during the law firm’s Freedom Fun Run 5K will help pay for student tuition and fees and support the college’s Veterans Resource Center.

The annual event was held virtually this year, from July 3-10, and raised over $25,000. Not only did proceeds go to WVU Parkersburg, but also the MOV Transit Authority and “We Have Your Six.” The college’s campus community also participated in the event, holding a 5K course on the main campus’ walking trail.

“Earning a college degree can be expensive is not always an easy task. Fortunately, U.S. service members and veterans are used to completing difficult tasks,” said Darren Shearlock, WVU Parkersburg veterans advocate. “If they can succeed in boot camp, overseas deployments and war, they can succeed in college.”

He continued, “Most veterans plan on using the GI Bill to pay for the tuition. Regrettably, earning a degree involves expenses in addition to tuition. Other college costs include books, supplies, computers and transportation. Jan Dils’ Freedom Fun Run 5K will help bridge the financial gap for many students, and without it, several of our veteran students would not have earned their degrees.”

Services provided by WVU Parkersburg’s Veterans Resource Center include helping students secure financing through the GI Bill and manage college credit transfers.

Derek Carpenter, a WVU Parkersburg student and Marine Corps veteran, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He served five years of active duty in California, Okinawa, Japan and South Korea as a ground radio repair technician.

At the end of his five-year enlistment, his interest in the medical field led him to WVU Parkersburg, and as a traveling nurse, Carpenter may advance his career and see the country.

“I met many people from across the United States during my time in the Marines and made some very strong friendships. I had to deal with both the good and the bad at times – and learned some very important life skills along the way,” said Carpenter. “This scholarship helped me out greatly by relieving the stress of always worrying about money while obtaining my degree. I have found that the cost of books, uniforms, and fuel is very costly. This scholarship allowed me to worry less about those things and focus more on my education.”

To learn more about WVU Parkersburg’s Veterans Resource Center and services offered, please contact Darren Shearlock at darren.shearlock@wvup.edu or 304-424-8000 ext. 337.