WEST VIRGINIA—Members of the 2012 graduating classes of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston’s seven Catholic high schools collectively earned more than $21.4 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 over 65 colleges and universities throughout the country this year.

“I have been so very impressed with the Catholic identity and academic rigor of our seven high schools upon my visits this year.  It is no surprise to me that the monetary value of the scholarships awarded has increased year after year and the colleges and universities that accepted our students are of the highest quality,” said Vincent de Paul Schmidt, superintendent of the schools of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.  “Our students are a great reflection of their parents’ desire for high academic achievement, social awareness and living faith-filled lives.  We are proud of our graduates, confident in their future and thankful that our Catholic schools played a role in their development.”

This year’s graduates were accepted to a wide range of colleges and universities across the U.S. and in other countries including Fordham University, American University, Bard College, Gannon University, Hofstra University, Kings College-London, Otterbein University, Reed College, Stetson University, University of British Columbia, University of Alabama, Wake Forest University, University of York-United Kingdom, University of South Carolina, Berea College, Elon University, Florida State University, Boise State University, College of William and Mary, De Paul University, Boston University, Drexel University, Duquesne University, New York University, Purdue University, De Paul University, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, University of San Francisco, University of Miami, University of Southern California, Northeastern University, University of Dayton, Coastal Carolina University, Wake Forest University, Denison University, Xavier University, University of Cincinnati, Concord College, United States Air Force Academy, Washington & Lee University, Washington & Jefferson College, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Clemson University, University of Tennessee, The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky, Penn State University, University of Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech University, High Point University, St. Vincent College, Syracuse University, University of Georgia, Wofford College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Mercyhurst College, Gonzaga University, Furman University, University of Louisville, St. John’s University, Wingate University, University of Michigan, University of California-Santa Barbara, Marquette University, Seton Hill University, Bellarmine University, Spanish Medical College of Seville, University of Hawaii, Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, University of Portland, University of Connecticut, Thiel College, York College, University of Delaware, Capital University, Marietta College, Slippery Rock University, Indiana University, Tulane University, John Carroll University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, The Catholic University of America, Erskine College, University of Missouri, University of Iowa, College of Wooster, Goucher College, Loyola University Maryland, Florida Institute of Technology, Loyola University-New Orleans, South Florida University, Centre College, Ashland University, Niagara University, University of Akron, University of Tampa, Butler University, Georgia Tech University, Old Dominion University, Bowling Green University, Mount Union University, Boston College, United States Coast Guard Academy, University of Colorado, College of Holy Cross, MIT, St. Vincent College, Texas Christian University, Lake Erie College, University of Vermont, Washington State University, Findlay University, Westminster College, University of Kansas, Fairleigh Dickinson University, University of Detroit, Chaminade University, Webster University, University of Great Falls, Washburn University, Bridgewater College and Woodford College. 

Schmidt 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, Davis & Elkins College, Alderson Broaddus College and Marshall University. Additionally, some members of the class of 2012 will be attending Wheeling Jesuit University, the state’s only Catholic institution of higher education.