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The West Liberty University Foundation announced Tuesday that the Dr. Harald Wiesner Memorial Scholarship has been established and permanently endowed, providing financial support to students enrolled in the WLU music degree programs of music education, music performance and music technology.
Wiesner, who died in March at age 84, was a professor of music at West Liberty University for 43 years. During that time, he encouraged, inspired, counseled, and befriended countless students. Following his passing, a scholarship was established in his memory by his family, colleagues, and friends.
Thanks to many memorial gifts, including a significant gift from Dr. Wiesner's family, the fund has grown to more than $130,000 ensuring its permanent endowment for the benefit of WLU students. The first Dr. Harald Wiesner Memorial Scholarship will be awarded for the 2024-25 academic year.
"Having to overcome incredible obstacles to obtain his education, Harald understood the transformative power of both education and music," Wiesner's widow Sharon said. "He was passionate about music and teaching, which enabled him to inspire and guide so many students during his career. With this scholarship, Harald's legacy of supporting students in their study of music will continue."
At 18, Wiesner emigrated to the United States and enrolled at the University of Richmond while working to pay his tuition. In 1961, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After his discharge, Wiesner became a U.S. citizen and received a teaching assistantship at Texas Christian University where he earned a master's degree. He earned his doctorate from Northwestern University and in 1968, he was offered a position in the music department at West Liberty State College where he remained until his retirement in 2011.
"The Foundation and the University are grateful to the generous donors who have remembered Dr. Wiesner with their contributions to this scholarship," WLU Foundation Executive Director Betsy Delk said. "Their gifts have enabled the permanent endowment of the scholarship so that it will benefit West Liberty University music degree students forever. We encourage friends and former colleagues and students of Dr. Wiesner to add their own contributions to the fund."
Contributions to the Dr. Harald Wiesner Memorial Scholarship can be made online at wlufoundation.org, by mail at WLU Foundation, 208 University Drive, CUB 126, West Liberty WV 26047, or by phone at 304-336-5635.