MU Establishes Leah Hickman Scholarship

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MU Establishes Leah Hickman Scholarship

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Posted: 1:45 PM Feb 22, 2008
Last Updated: 1:45 PM Feb 22, 2008

22 comments

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Marshall University has established the Leah Hickman Memorial Scholarship in Journalism.

Hickman was a Marshall University broadcast journalism major found murdered at her apartment in Huntington back in December 2007.

The scholarship will be awarded to a freshman, sophomore or junior who is a full-time journalism student. They must also be a West Virginia resident and in good academic standing .l.

The Leah Hickman Scholarship was made possible by donations from Dress Barn , family and friends of Leah Hickman, and Leah’s friends at the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Dr. Corley Dennison, Dean of the School of Journalism, says “many of our students have been asking about an appropriate way to remember Leah.”

“We are currently working on the details of several fundraisers and the proceeds from those will be contributed to the scholarship fund named in her honor.”

To contribute to the scholarship you cal call (304) 696-6781.

The first award will be made during the School of Journalism’s annual spring banquet.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: donald on May 18, 2008 at 06:17 PM
I've been watch story erom first day I thank Police don't have any thing to work on so they drag there feet lost for words to tell people, why don`t say screw up case?

Posted by: linda on May 18, 2008 at 12:29 PM
i don't feel that the law informent has really done there best in this case or any other case they don't work hard enought and most men give up and they let it go to long to do any good by that time people have forgotten all about it and i feel that it isn't just the huntington police it is all of them. they could have had the dogs with them when they got the call, by the time they got the dogs in there they had walked all the crime scene, which i feel like that is why they didn't get anywhere with the investation. the police don't do the right thing any more, they should be on duty 24 7 and they should be on duty on the high ways the one going to huntington and the rest of the high ways. i no that with my daughters case they never did anything about it. i think it is a bad way for the police departments in this state to operate. they get people on there that are scared of there own movements. and some of them are so out of sharp that they can't run or chase anyone on foot.

Posted by: Barbie on May 1, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Leah Nicole Hickman She wanted to be a journalist She was in her junior year Soon she'd wear that cap and gown Graduation seemed so near. Although her life was far too short She succeeded with her goal. She'd been writing all her life With love from her very soul. To her family she was special Sent from Heaven up above. Her parents' pride and joy The embodiment of love. To her friends she will be remembered For her kindness and her smile. Whether they had known her forever Or just a little while. Strangers too, they know her name And have also shed a tear. Without knowing her personally They know that her life was dear. For you see she was waiting To graduate and start her life But she had no way of knowing She'd written volumes on our hearts. So when you think of Leah Think of the journalist she was. For every day and on every page She wrote to us with love copyright 2008 by Barbara Howard

Posted by: Tori on Feb 26, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Although I believe the Scholarship is a wonderful thing,I feel it should have been done later on.This just seems way too soon and i for one was a little shocked.The killer caught,then closure and a tribute to Leah's memory.It just doesn't feel right to do this now and as I said earlier so soon following the murder. At my work- place, six of us in all felt the same on this topic.

Posted by: unknown on Feb 25, 2008 at 10:13 AM
This is a very nice thing to do.. everyday goes by and i always have leah on my mind. i didnt know her. But everyday i wounder are they going to catch the horrible person who did this. I would love to be a police officer if they got payed alot more.. there so underpayed its horrible. But i know if i was a police officer this case would be my number 1 priorty!

Posted by: Joe on Feb 25, 2008 at 08:12 AM
I wish everyone would raise money to hire a good private investigator. I would contribute to that also...My daughter goes to Marshall and it would make many parents happy to see the killer brought to justice...

Posted by: jean on Feb 25, 2008 at 12:17 AM
It is nice to remember Leah in just a gracious and giving way. I would also like to see justice for her. I think her memory must be keep in the spot light and maybe she won't become just another unsolved murder case. Let's get her justice first.

Posted by: Bev on Feb 24, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Leah must have been a wonderful person to have so many people care for her. Kudos to the owners of Dress Barn for stepping up to the plate. This is a great way to remember her. I also have to agree with the post about the murder investigation stuck in stage 1. You have to admit that HPD has a bad record when it comes to solving murders. Leah's isn't the only one that has remained unsolved. I remember the murder from around 1982-83 of a woman in Westmoreland that still hasn't been solved. I don't understand why HPD doesn't put up a web page of unsolved crimes like New York and other cities. Are they afraid the citizens may do their job better??? I'm challenging HPD to do the right thing. Take some of the money that you are getting from the citizens and purchase a computer and programs for unsolved crimes.

Posted by: MU student on Feb 24, 2008 at 02:40 PM
I think that this is a terrific way to remember Leah. Kudos to those of you who thought enough about this girl to come up with a way for remembrance. Not only for that but to also allow her passion for what she wanted to do in her life to pass on to someone else...and in her name no less. This will ensure that people will forever remember the name Leah Hickman, and show how much of an impact the life of this young woman had on everyone! To the people at Dress Barn...all I can say is WOW! You have shown your support from the start and I can't imagine what that must mean to her family. When there are so many people screaming that there isn't enough being done...it is really nice to see that there are still people doing what they can! Every little bit helps...this way you are keeping Leah in the hearts of people who didn't know her..and honoring the ones who did! All my love to the family..May you find peace in your hearts from all this mess.

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 24, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Read the headline: MU establishes. You know Marshall University has all that money and they have to establish a scholarship? They just cant give someone a free scholarship? Nothing comes from Marshall that is free. Instead, you have all these businesses coming up with the money. I think that is a wonderful thing to do in Leahs honor, but why is Marshall in the headline and not the Dress Barn?

Posted by: anonymous on Feb 23, 2008 at 01:22 PM
obviously you all think it takes a few hours to solve a murder like on crime scene shows like csi. come on, the police force is stretched thin, thanks to the fine mayor who's created the problem.

Posted by: Joanne on Feb 23, 2008 at 12:55 PM
I too believe it is a great way to remember Leah, but as John first posted, I believe that the police haven't a clue as to who did this atrocious act. I live right across the river and keep wondering if I'm walking right past the killer. I keep looking for the update that says the police have a lead, but alas, no such luck. What a frightening proposition to think that there just might be a serial killer who is just getting started. Let's remember her not only with a scholarship, but by also bringing her killer to justice.

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 23, 2008 at 10:38 AM
I get the feeling that the HPD wants this story to blow over. What is there to hide? I wish the news would put more pessure on them. Its seems like when an external investigation from a reporter happens facts start to come out that was never reported. Maybe Dateline could find out!

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 23, 2008 at 01:23 AM
I think this is such a great way to remember Leah, being that journalism was her career choice. I just can't seem to understand why there has been no updated info. on the death of Leah. I hope this isn't another case pushed to the backburner because all the pieces aren't laid out on the table. Like, those teenagers who were murdered in Huntington a few years ago, what happened to that case?? Unsolved and forgotten. I understand Huntington has many problems, but shouldn't getting murderers off the street be a top priority? My heart goes out to the Hickman family, I hope justice gets served!

Posted by: lori on Feb 22, 2008 at 11:10 PM
If someone has the nerve to do this to a family that has done nothing to them,this person has no life and wants to make everyones life misberal and take the life of another.I hope thay find the person who did this to her!!

Posted by: John on Feb 22, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Has the Huntington Police Dep received those lab results yet? They are hoping people will forget, and this will all "blow over". Vote for anyone for mayor who will get rid of this inept police force.

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 22, 2008 at 03:58 PM
This is wonderful! While it is certainly no comparison to her family still having her with them, it will ensure that Leah will remain in the hearts and minds of Marshall University and this community for a long time to come. My prayers remain with the Hickman family and God Speed Leah.

Posted by: Faith on Feb 22, 2008 at 03:46 PM
This is really nice but I think money would have been better spent on a reward to help catch her killer first.

Posted by: dave on Feb 22, 2008 at 03:39 PM
I can't begin to tell you all how impressed I am with Marshall University and especially the Dress Barn. Both seem to be doing anything they can to do some good in this situation. It goes to show that there are good people out there. My hats off to MU on how they've handled this. There's nothing bad to say about Dress Barn. The owners must really be angels for what they've done through it all. Their kindness blows me away. Keep up the good work to both.

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 22, 2008 at 03:05 PM
THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE.BUT, I CAN'T HELP BUT ASK WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE INVESTIGATION. WE HAVE TO KEEP HER IN OUR PRAYERS AND KEEP ASKING BECAUSE WE CAN NOT FORGET HER. HER STORY HAS BROUGHT HER INTO ALL OF OUR HOMES. AND WE OWE IT TO HER TO KEEP LOOKING FOR ANWSERS AND KEEP KNOCKING ON DOORS. I KNOW SOME OF US WANT TO GIVE UP ON HER BUT THIS COULD BE YOUR CHILD. WE CAN'T GIVE UP NOW

Posted by: concerned on Feb 22, 2008 at 02:46 PM
This is a very good thing to do .though it would have been great if she had been here to enjoy it also. just pray that God will bring this thing to justice

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 22, 2008 at 02:15 PM
This is great , but how about finding the killer !! What is up with this. If I were her mother I would be really upset.

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