A $500,000 scholarship gift from Thomas D. Bone, a 1982 WVU graduate, will benefit full-time undergraduate students from Raleigh County with demonstrated financial need. (WVU Photo/Garrett Cullen)
An accomplished graduate of the West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics is empowering future students from Raleigh County to succeed with a $500,000 scholarship gift.
Thomas D. Bone, a 1982 graduate of the College of Business and Economics, established the Bone Family Scholarship, supporting full-time undergraduate students from Raleigh County with demonstrated financial need.
The Bone Family Scholarship is available to students in any major, offering flexible support to ensure students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
“Education has the power to change lives, yet we know many prospective students face financial challenges to achieve their dreams,” Will Green, WVU Foundation senior vice president and chief development officer, said. “Flexible scholarship gifts empower West Virginia students to succeed by making a college degree more accessible and affordable. We’re grateful to Mr. Bone for his generous investment in the next generation of homegrown leaders.”
Bone’s own educational journey began in Raleigh County, where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1979. He attended WVU and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to have a successful career in taxation, including leadership roles at KPMG LLP and Crown Castle International Corp. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Brentwood Bank.
Now retired, Bone resides in Pittsburgh with his wife, Theresa. They have three children and two grandchildren. While the scholarship honors the family’s roots in West Virginia, it also reflects Bone’s broader commitment to giving back to the community that shaped him.
The Bone Family Scholarship complements Bone’s past philanthropic efforts and continues a tradition of meaningful support for higher education in West Virginia. Students selected for the scholarship will receive not only financial assistance but also encouragement to pursue their academic and professional goals.
Bone is eager to help Mountain State students interested in any field excel in their educational journeys.
“Education was a cornerstone of my upbringing, and a strong value instilled in me from an early age,” Bone said. “With parents who dedicated their careers as educators in Raleigh County, I saw firsthand the impact that learning and mentorship can have. I was fortunate to attend West Virginia University, which provided the foundation for my career.”
Rather than establishing an endowment that takes time to produce a return, Bone opted for a demand fund to provide immediate aid for students. His goal is to help as many students as he can during his lifetime.
“Having found success, it’s important to me to give back and create opportunities for other Raleigh County students,” Bone said. “This is my way of paying it forward.”
Bone’s gift was made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.