Charleston attorney Steven White contributed $50,000 each to pay tribute to longtime friends John Kennedy Bailey (left) and Richard L. Howard (right).
Students at the West Virginia University College of Law and School of Dentistry will benefit from two scholarship gifts to honor late alumni.
Charleston attorney Steven White contributed $50,000 each to pay tribute to longtime friends John Kennedy Bailey and Richard L. Howard.
“Both of these gentlemen were proud alumni of West Virginia University, and the University was very important to both John and Richard,” White said. “I hope these scholarships benefit some well-deserving students to help them with their education at WVU.”
White’s gift to the John Kennedy Bailey Memorial Law Scholarship will aid students from West Virginia enrolled at the College of Law. The scholarship was established after Bailey died in a tragic accident on Sept. 15, 2021.
A native of Fairmont, Bailey earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University before attending the WVU College of Law. He ran his own practice focused on real estate law, and he was committed to public service as a community volunteer and member of Charleston City Council.
“John Kennedy Bailey took to heart the College of Law’s value of transformative public service in his life and in his career, both cut far too short,” Amelia Smith Rinehart, William J. Maier, Jr. Dean of the College of Law, said. “We are grateful and honored to receive Mr. White’s generous gift to the John Kennedy Bailey Memorial Scholarship fund, which will enable us to recruit and retain future lawyers to carry John Bailey’s legacy forward within the West Virginia legal profession and beyond.”
White’s second gift goes to the Dr. Richard L. & Dr. Edward E. Howard Dentistry Scholarship, established by Edward to honor his brother Richard, who died July 28, 2020, following a long battle with cancer. The scholarship goes to a fourth-year Doctor of Dental Surgery student who demonstrates “exceptional clinical aptitude” in fixed prosthodontics and implantology.
Richard Howard earned his DDS degree from the WVU School of Dentistry in 1967 and inspired generations of family members to follow in his footsteps. He opened his own dental practice in Charleston and was later joined by Edward, a 1974 School of Dentistry graduate. Together, they founded Howard & Howard Dental, where Edward continues to practice with niece Dr. Jacqueline H. Stump and nephew Dr. Matthew D. Stump.
“You’ll find a significant number of dental school alumni help guide and shape the future of dentistry long after they earn their degree,” Dr. Stephen Pachuta, dean of the School of Dentistry, said. “Dr. Richard Howard was the epitome of mentorship influencing young adults who are finding their purpose in the oral health profession. Alumni are one of our greatest assets. They often quietly impact students who in turn make a difference in the lives of West Virginia patients. We are extremely appreciative of Mr. White’s gift to support this scholarship established by Dr. Edward Howard. On behalf of our scholarship recipients and the dental school, it is our pleasure to be able to share the story of the family behind the philanthropy."
White’s memorial gifts were made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.