RADFORD – Radford University finance major Natalie Wilson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Wilson of Bristol, Va., has been awarded the prestigious McGowan Scholarship by the RU College of Business and Economics.

The scholarship was made possible by the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, which awarded the College of Business and Economics a scholarship grant covering up to one year’s tuition.

Wilson (pictured at right), who has worked to finance her tuition for the past two years, is grateful for the scholarship.

“I’ve had a lot of stress,” she said. “It feels good to know that all this work has finally paid off.”

Wilson can certainly relate to William G. McGowan, the founder of MCI Communications Corporation. Following his graduation from King College, McGowan applied for a scholarship at Harvard Business School that paid for his second year at the institution.

“He basically did the same thing I’m doing,” said Wilson. “He worked hard and got a scholarship.”

Wilson has remained on the Dean’s List the past five semesters and has maintained a 3.9 GPA. She was a member of the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and served as co-president of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) during high school. She also worked as a volunteer for A Leg Up, a non-profit center that provides therapeutic and recreational horseback riding for individuals of all disabilities throughout Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.

Wilson hopes to become a financial planner following graduation and eventually start her own business.

The William G. McGowan Scholars program encourages leadership, interpersonal skills and a significant involvement in campus and community activities. It also recognizes excellence of character, a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial potential. Scholarships are awarded to selected accredited college and university business schools.

This is the third year the McGowan Scholarship has been awarded to the RU College of Business and Economics. The first recipient was Steve Mignogna, a marketing major from Mount Laurel, N.J. The second recipient was Robert P. Barrett, an economics and German major from Roanoke, Va.