The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) hosted a scholarship luncheon, to honor four students with the Division of Highways Scholarship.

Recognizing their contributions as co-op employees and their potential as future leaders in infrastructure and technology.The four honorees selected for the scholarship are:

• Ava Edmonds

• Max Hall

• Marina Hanna

• Justin Robeson

The recipients were chosen for their work as co-ops with the WVDOT over the past several years during their summer breaks from various colleges and universities. The department aims to retain these individuals as future engineers, IT experts and aerospace engineers.

Each scholarship provides $3,000 per semester, up to a maximum total of $12,000. To be eligible, recipients must be at least a junior in their undergraduate studies or a second-year law student.

"This is a career if you want to build a future," WVDOT Chief Technology Officer Hussain Elkhansa told the scholarship recipients.

Jonathan Schaffer, chief economic development officer and former executive administrator of government relations of WVDOT, echoed those sentiments while congratulating the students.

"One of my regrets is that I didn't come here (WVDOT) sooner," he said. "I wish you the best of luck and congratulations."

WVDOT Business Manager Robert Stuart encouraged the recipients to continue their professional development within the agency.

"It's a good move you've made", he said. "Continue on with your growth here. To come here and be young, you've made the right choice."​