About Dr. Karen LaRoe
Karen was born in her grandparents’ four-room farmhouse a few miles from Symmes Valley High School (SVHS) in 1944. She was the primary farmhand on her parents’ dairy farm until she graduated from high school in 1961. She was a member of the first graduating class at SVHS, was the vice president of the student body and wrote the school’s fight song that is used to this day.
Widowed when she was 24, with two young children and a high school diploma, Karen went on to earn a doctorate in educational leadership. After serving with the Ohio State University, Fitchburg State and Montana State Northern, she was appointed president of the West Virginia Institute of Technology in 1999. She was the first female university president in West Virginia’s history. During her five-year tenure, Tech was ranked in the top 10% of all universities in the United States by the U. S. News and World Report.
Her guiding principle as president was:
“A college is a place where we come together to challenge one another’s ideas with love and respect.” – Dr. Karen LaRoe
Karen’s life passion was for the uplifting power of education. Her life story is the embodiment of that truth and the inspiration for this program.
Read more about Karen’s life and legacyScholarship Criteria:
- Female student graduating from Symmes Valley High School in Willow Wood, Ohio.
- Academic ability and financial need will be considered.
- Applicant is eligible for renewal for an additional three consecutive years upon verification of full-time enrollment status and a 3.0 GPA.