Roush Scholarship to Benefit Gallia, Meigs and Jackson Students

RIO GRANDE, Ohio – Delma L. Roush was a remarkable woman. A driven entrepreneur. A friend. A mentor. A proud Ohioan.

That legacy will live on thanks to a $500,000 gift from the late Ms. Roush through the Delma Roush Trust to the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College. The endowed funds created the Delma L. Roush Scholarship, which is available to students from Gallia, Meigs and Jackson Counties beginning fall of 2016.

“Delma’s generous gift is further testament to her outstanding character and will allow southeastern Ohio youths to further their education for generations to come,” Rio Grande Director of Development Kara Willis said.

To be eligible for the Roush Scholarship, students from Gallia, Meigs and Jackson Counties must graduate in the top third of their high school class. The scholarship is renewable so long as recipients maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 while at Rio Grande.

Delma Roush passed in 2012 as a lifelong Gallia County resident. Born in Addison Township, Ms. Roush resided in Gallipolis and was respected as a savvy businesswoman and mentor.

A lifetime member of the Addison United Methodist Church, Ms. Roush was the owner/operator of the Holiday Inn for 18 years before selling the hotel in 1991. Prior to that, she worked as secretary and treasurer French Colony Industries and Raymond Hoy & Company, both furniture upholstery shops in Gallipolis.

Faye Coughenour, a dear friend to Ms. Roush and trustee of the Roush Trust, said Delma was “a woman that cared about children and believed that every child should have the chance at a higher education. … Her love that she shared with her family and close friends will remain here on Earth through this generosity for education.”

Founded in 1876 and nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of southeastern Ohio, the University of Rio Grande serves as an oasis of learning, innovation and technology. The 190-acre residential campus strikes a balance of liberal arts and experiential learning to prepare students for successful lives as responsible citizens in a culturally diverse, global community. An epicenter of cultural enrichment, Rio offers students a nurturing environment focused on the needs of the individual with a student-faculty ratio of 16:1 and a plethora of extracurricular activities ranging from Student Senate to Greek life, and intercollegiate athletics.

For more information about the Roush Scholarship or the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College visit rio.edu or call 800-282-7201.

Those interested in learning more about planned giving opportunities at Rio Grande can contact Director of Development Kara Willis at 740-245-7221 or [email protected].