ETTRICK, Va. — There’s a new scholarship available at Virginia State University (VSU), thanks to a big gift from a former student.
VSU alumnus Charlie W. Hill (’66), of Hampton, Va, donated $100,000 to his alma mater to establish the Annase Wilks Hill Minerva Circle Endowment. Charlie Hill announced the gift during VSU’s 2015 Founder’s Day on Wednesday.
The fund honors Hill’s late wife, Annase Wilks Hill, who earned bachelor and master’s degrees in microbiology from VSU. Over her career, she worked at Abbott Labs, Baltimore City Hospital, Langley Air Force Base Hospital and the University of Virginia Medical School. Her family says Annase Hill was especially proud of her work in HIV and AIDS diagnoses and treatments at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Hampton, Va.
The Annase Wilks Hill Minerva Circle Endowment will recognize in-state, VSU students who show outstanding academic performance and equally outstanding citizenship. Students who receive the scholarship must be a freshman or sophomore with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. They must also be admitted, enrolled, and matriculating in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) majors. Preference will be given to females and students from rural areas.
Charlie Hill said his family’s history and strong connection to VSU led him to create the endowment.
“I asked myself, ‘What would make a difference right now,’” he said. “I realized this endowment could serve as a model for others.”
