The Doddridge County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF), is proud to announce the creation of a new endowed scholarship designed to support the next generation of skilled, hands-on professionals: the Carder-Swiger Family Doddridge County Vocational Scholarship.

Established by Jim Carder (Doddridge County High School (DCHS) Class of 1987) and his wife, Mary, the scholarship honors their family’s deep roots and dedicated careers across essential trades ranging from construction, timbering, and steel manufacturing to printing, optometry, and nursing.  Recognizing that technology is rapidly transforming the modern workplace while the demand for skilled trade and healthcare professionals remains vital to local and national economies, the Carders created this fund to invest directly in local students pursuing technical and vocational education.

The scholarship provides annual financial assistance to graduating seniors from DCHS who are accepted into or plan to enroll at an accredited technical school, vocational school, trade school, or community college technical/certificate program (Four-year university tracks are excluded from this award).  Supporting careers in both the trades (such as carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, printing, welding, electrical, barber/cosmetology, agricultural sciences/business, automotive, or mechanical fields) and healthcare (such as CNA, LPN, RN, ophthalmic/optometry technician, pharmacy technician, dental hygienist, or sonography fields), funding may be applied toward tuition as well as ancillary training costs including books, fees, equipment, and travel.

To be eligible, applicants must be graduating DCHS seniors in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.  Reflecting the founders’ belief in the character built through discipline and teamwork, candidates must also have actively participated for at least two full seasons or years during high school in one or more select DCHS extracurricular programs: Band, Cross Country, FFA, Football, or Track & Field.

"We are deeply grateful to Mary and Jim Carder for their vision and generosity," said Amy Nahley, PACF’s Executive Director. "The Carder-Swiger Family Vocational Scholarship celebrates the skills that students build through extracurricular involvement, while paving a clear path for them to gain high-demand skills and build rewarding careers right here in our region."

The Fund will make its first awards Spring of 2027. Students can apply for this scholarship through the Foundation’s consolidated scholarship application process. For more information about the Carder-Swiger Family Doddridge County Vocational Scholarship or to learn how to apply, please contact the Foundation at 304-428-4438 or visit www.pacfwv.com/scholarships/apply.