The UMWA has announced the winners of the 2025-2026 Lorin E. Kerr Scholarship. Each of the winners will receive $2,500 for this academic year to assist them in meeting their educational goals.
Parker Bowersox is the son of Local Union 1412 member Mike Bowersox and plans on attending Park Point University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a major in Civil Engineering.
“Labor unions are one of the most important assets that a worker can have, especially if there is an unfair working environment or conditions,” said Parker.
“The founding members of labor unions fought to give us the five-day work week, the eight-hour workday, minimum wage and child labor laws. My family members have belonged to labor unions throughout their working careers and benefitted greatly from their memberships,” Parker said.
Parker’s great-grandfather, grandfather and father are/were all members of the UMWA. Parker has received a merit scholarship from Park Point and is a first-generation college student. He plans to receive his bachelor’s degree from the university while also playing Division 2 men’s lacrosse.
Haven Tomblin is the granddaughter of Local Union 2286 member Kenneth Tomblin. Haven will be pursuing a career as a licensed physical therapist at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.
“The financial assistance this scholarship will provide will be a tremendous aid in helping meet the financial obligation of college,” said Haven.
“Most importantly, it will assist me in helping others, including injured miners with traumatic injuries and neurological diseases, manage their movements, reduce their pain and live life to the fullest.”
Haven plans to stay in rural Madison after college and continue to volunteer in her community through Red Cross, local food pantries and support local youth athletic initiatives.
