West Virginia University Assistant Professor of Saxophone Jeffrey Siegfried couldn’t think of a better way to honor his late student Eric Domanico’s life than with a musical tribute.

Domanico, of South Lyon, Michigan, participated in the Mountaineer Marching Band and performed in a saxophone quartet on campus. But he was also fighting mental health struggles. In July 2020, Domanico took his own life.

A constant presence on doctoral research committees during her time on faculty at West Virginia University School of Music, Mary Ferer has funded an endowment within the school’s doctoral programs.

The Mary Tiffany Ferer Endowment for Research in Music will be awarded each year to a DMA student who demonstrates outstanding research and writing.

The late Christine Kefferstan will be memorialized in the West Virginia University School of Music thanks to a $50,000 gift from alumnus and American Pops Orchestra Founder Luke Frazier.

The Christine Kefferstan Awards for Excellence will award eight $1,000 - 2,000 gifts annually to support students, faculty and the greatest student needs in the School of Music. 

When thinking of careers options for those pursuing creative arts, minds do not typically wander to the military. But opportunities in the arts are available for those enlisted, from communications and graphic design to military bands.

“Artistic individuals are needed in all parts of society,” said Dean Keith Jackson.