Gay Larsen was a longtime resident of Wheeling and a strong believer in the power of a good education. She hoped that, by establishing a scholarship fund for graduates of all high schools in the northern panhandle of WV (Hancock, Brooke, Ohio and Marshall Counties), she could help plant the seeds of future success for young women and men of talent and determination from this area. The Larsen Scholarship Fund has distributed funds to high school seniors since 1997.
The funds are managed by WesBanco Trust and Investment Services of Wheeling, as the endowment trustee. The selection committee consists of four persons, all of whom have extensive experience as educators in the local area. As indicated by the attached Application, the selection committee considers a variety of factors, including college aptitude test scores, overall grade point average (GPA), rank in class, extracurricular activities and involvement in school and civic or community affairs, indication of leadership ability, and a short written essay. The need for financial aid is not a factor.