Donald E. Rasmussen and Paul J. Kaufman ​ ​Memorial Fund

A contribution from the Appalachian Pulmonary Laboratory, Inc. established this named fund in honor of Beckley’s late Dr. Donald L. Rasmussen, an expert in pneumoconiosis, and the late Paul Kaufman, a Charleston attorney who worked for passage of a black lung law. Income provides scholarships for those pursuing an education in the medical field; preference is given to applicants who can verify that they are descendants of a Raleigh Co. or So. WV coal miner.

• Individuals who can establish they have been or are a Southern West Virginia coal miner or descendants of a Southern West Virginia coal miner,
• Preference given to a Raleigh County coal miner or a descendant of a Raleigh County coal miner.
• Applicants must indicate their relationship to a coal miner with their application.
• While the scholarships may be given to help pursue a professional or para-professional education, preference is given for scholarships in the medical field such as nursing, medicine, para-medicine or therapy.

Renewable: Yes; applicants must re-apply annually.