Children to benefit from Kendrick gift to WVU Eye Institute
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – It’s a homerun for West Virginia children with incurable vision loss thanks to the generosity of West Virginia University alumnus and Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team owner Earl G. “Ken” Kendrick, who provided another substantial gift to the WVU Eye Institute’s Children’s Vision Rehabilitation Program (CVRP).
With Kendrick’s gift, the CVRP will now provide opportunities for children with incurable vision loss throughout the southern part of the state.
“Providing these outreach services in the southern part of the state helps children, who might not otherwise have the opportunity, to grow into productive, independent adults, and it brings attention to the importance of vision care,” said Kendrick, a native of Princeton, W.Va.
Established in 1996, the CVRP provides clinics, summer camps, and mentor programs. The needs-based program assists visually impaired children, teachers, parents and related professionals in West Virginia.
“We appreciate the private support we receive from Mr. Kendrick and others who recognize the importance of providing vision care services throughout our state,” said Lee Wiley, M.D., interim chair of the WVU Eye Institute.
A 1965 graduate, Kendrick earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from WVU. After spending a few years at IBM in Baltimore, he left to form his own company, Datatel, Inc., which is now the industry leader in the development of software infrastructure technology for colleges and universities. He also experienced great success investing in the banking industry, including Woodforest National Bank, one of the largest employee-owned banks in the United States. He currently serves on the WVU Foundation Board of Directors.
This is the second time Kendrick has provided outreach support to the Eye Institute.
The gift was made through the WVU Foundation, the private non-profit corporation that generates and provides support for West Virginia University.
With Kendrick’s gift, the CVRP will now provide opportunities for children with incurable vision loss throughout the southern part of the state.
“Providing these outreach services in the southern part of the state helps children, who might not otherwise have the opportunity, to grow into productive, independent adults, and it brings attention to the importance of vision care,” said Kendrick, a native of Princeton, W.Va.
Established in 1996, the CVRP provides clinics, summer camps, and mentor programs. The needs-based program assists visually impaired children, teachers, parents and related professionals in West Virginia.
“We appreciate the private support we receive from Mr. Kendrick and others who recognize the importance of providing vision care services throughout our state,” said Lee Wiley, M.D., interim chair of the WVU Eye Institute.
A 1965 graduate, Kendrick earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from WVU. After spending a few years at IBM in Baltimore, he left to form his own company, Datatel, Inc., which is now the industry leader in the development of software infrastructure technology for colleges and universities. He also experienced great success investing in the banking industry, including Woodforest National Bank, one of the largest employee-owned banks in the United States. He currently serves on the WVU Foundation Board of Directors.
This is the second time Kendrick has provided outreach support to the Eye Institute.
The gift was made through the WVU Foundation, the private non-profit corporation that generates and provides support for West Virginia University.