WEST VIRGINIA—Members of the 2011 graduating classes of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston’s seven Catholic high schools collectively earned more than $14.5 million in scholarships. The newly graduated of Madonna High School in Weirton, Bishop Donahue Memorial High School in McMechen, Central Catholic High School in Wheeling, Notre Dame High School in Clarksburg, St. Joseph Central Catholic High School in Huntington, Parkersburg Catholic High School and Charleston Catholic High School will be attending nearly 60 colleges and universities throughout the country this year.
“Some 300 young men and women graduated from our seven Catholic high schools and have been accepted at some of the finest colleges and universities across the country, including here in West Virginia,” said Richard Barnabei, acting superintendent of diocesan Catholic schools. “I have observed firsthand the enthusiasm of so many of these young people who are convinced about the role they are called to play to make a positive difference for both society and the church. They inspire in us the confidence that they are not only well-prepared academically but also grounded in their faith and their commitment to serve. We congratulate them on their achievement and send them forward into their future with our blessings and prayers.”
Robyn Hammond, associate superintendent of diocesan Catholic schools, said she is impressed with the accomplishments of the class of 2011 and said that the more than $14.5 million in scholarships collectively earned is “clearly a testimony to the quality of education offered in our schools.”
This year’s graduates were accepted to a wide range of colleges and universities across the United States and in other countries including Fordham University, Boston University, Emory University, Drexel University, Duquesne University, Universidad de Guatemala, Bard College, Otterbein College, New York University, Purdue University, Southern Methodist University, University of Arizona, Texas A & M University, University of Loyola-Chicago, De Paul University, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Valparaiso University, University of Louisiana, Wittenberg University, University of San Francisco, University of Miami, University of Virginia, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Southern California, University of New Hampshire, La Roche College, University of South Carolina-Sumter, Long Island University, Villanova University, Texas Christian University, Northeastern University, McGill University, University of Dayton, Coastal Carolina University, Wake Forest University, Denison University, Xavier University, University of Cincinnati, Concord College, The Catholic University of America, Carnegie Mellon University, United States Naval Academy, Elon University, Washington & Lee University, University of Notre Dame, Washington & Jefferson College, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Case Western Reserve University, Clemson University, University of Tennessee, The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky, Radford University, Penn State University, University of Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech University, High Point University, University of Alabama, St. Vincent College, University of Mississippi, Syracuse University, George Washington University, Auburn University, Northeastern University, Purdue University, Queens University, University of Georgia, Wofford College, Vassar College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Mercyhurst College, St. Louis University, Art Institute of Cincinnati, Gonzaga University, Furman University, University of Kansas, University of Louisville, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Chicago, University of Toronto and Woodford College.
Barnabei said that a number of this year’s graduates are also recipients of the West Virginia Promise Scholarship and will pursue studies at West Virginia University, West Liberty University, University of Charleston, Fairmont State University, Shepherd University, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Bethany College and Marshall University. Additionally, some members of the class of 2011 will be attending Wheeling Jesuit University, the state’s only Catholic institution of higher education.