The Brenda Kathryn Metz Memorial Fund was established by her family to honor Brenda's life, her compassionate spirit, and her dedication to the field of nursing. Created to support aspiring nurses in the local region, this endowed scholarship serves as a lasting tribute to a woman who devoted her career to caring for others with empathy and skill.

The scholarship assists students pursuing an education to become a Registered Nurse at an accredited college, university, trade school, technical school, or certificate program. Recipient must be a graduating high school senior from Belpre High School with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. If no Belpre High School senior is eligible, the award may assist non-traditional adult students residing in Washington County, Ohio, or Wirt County, West Virginia. Recipients are selected based on demonstrated financial need, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to community service. Awards may be renewed for up to four consecutive years as students work toward their degree or certificate.

Brenda Kathryn Metz was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and grew up surrounded by a large, close-knit family across the Mid-Ohio Valley. Driven by a deep desire to care for others, Brenda pursued her calling in healthcare, earning her nursing degree from West Virginia University at Parkersburg (WVUP).

As a Registered Nurse, Brenda spent years serving patients on the frontlines of healthcare. She dedicated much of her career to Camden Clark Hospital in Parkersburg before continuing her vital nursing work with the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation in St. Marys, West Virginia. Beyond her professional devotion to her patients, Brenda was deeply cherished by her husband, her parents, her sisters, and her extended family.  She was known for her kindness toward animals and her vibrant presence in the lives of those around her.

Following Brenda’s passing in 2021, her family created this memorial scholarship to ensure that her legacy of healing and compassion continues to make a difference. Through the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, the Brenda Kathryn Metz Memorial Fund helps future healthcare professionals achieve their dreams while continuing Brenda’s lifelong mission of caring for others.