Carder-Swiger family scholarship to support Doddridge County High School grads
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The Doddridge County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, has announced the creation of an endowed scholarship to support the next generation of skilled, hands-on professionals: the Carder-Swiger Family Doddridge County Vocational Scholarship.
Established by Jim Carder, Doddridge County High School class of 1987, and his wife, Mary, the scholarship honors their family's deep roots and dedicated careers across essential trades ranging from construction, timbering and steel manufacturing to printing, optometry and nursing, according to a press release. Recognizing that technology is rapidly transforming the modern workplace while the demand for skilled trade and healthcare professionals remains vital to local and national economies, the Carders created this fund to invest directly in local students pursuing technical and vocational education.
The scholarship provides annual financial assistance to graduating seniors from DCHS who are accepted into or plan to enroll at an accredited technical school, vocational school, trade school or community college technical/certificate program. Four-year university tracks are excluded from this award. Supporting careers in both trades, such as carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, printing, welding, electrical, barber/cosmetology, agricultural sciences/business, automotive or mechanical fields, and healthcare, such as CNA, LPN, RN, ophthalmic/optometry technician, pharmacy technician, dental hygienist or sonography fields, funding may be applied toward tuition as well as ancillary training costs, including books, fees, equipment and travel.
To be eligible, applicants must be graduating DCHS seniors in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Reflecting the founders' belief in the character built through discipline and teamwork, candidates must also have actively participated for at least two full seasons or years during high school in one or more select DCHS extracurricular programs: band, cross country, FFA, football or track and field.
“We are deeply grateful to Mary and Jim Carder for their vision and generosity,” said Amy Nahley, PACF's executive director. “The Carder-Swiger Family Vocational Scholarship celebrates the skills that students build through extracurricular involvement, while paving a clear path for them to gain high-demand skills and build rewarding careers right here in our region.”
The fund will make its first awards in spring of 2027. Students can apply for this scholarship through the foundation's consolidated scholarship application process. For more information about the Carder-Swiger Family Doddridge County Vocational Scholarship or to learn how to apply, contact the foundation at 304-428-4438 or visit www.pacfwv.com.