SCHOLARSHIP HONORS REV. D.D. MEIGHEN’S LEGACY OF FAITH, SERVICE

By Tammie Presley

ATHENS, WV - Rev. Donald David "D.D." Meighen was an exceptional man who lived a life of deep faith and extraordinary service.

Born Dec. 31, 1944, Rev. Meighen graduated from Fairmont Senior High School in 1963 and Fairmont State in 1967. Already committed to ministry, he went on to earn a Master of Divinity at Methodist Theological in Delaware, Ohio. From 1968 to 2024, he served 17 churches across four denominations in four counties.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dr. Mary Miller Gwinn Meighen, and their three children: Chris and Drew Meighen and Julie Meighen Perry. His daughter-in-law is Concord University President Bethany Meighen. Drew said establishing a scholarship at Concord to honor his father seemed especially fitting, given his father's lifelong commitment to education and his instinct to offer a hand whenever it was needed.

"My dad was a champion for everyone, but particularly those that needed a little boost to help them get on their feet. He was always wanting to help the people in his community, especially those that might get overlooked at times," Drew said. "He saw the value of everyone, regardless of where they were in life."

Rev. Meighen connected with people not only through ministry but also through media. He wrote a weekly music column, "Today's Sounds," for the Fairmont Times West Virginian and between 1971 and 1979, produced seven shows on three radio stations. He also hosted a variety of local cable programs, founded 24-hour Marion County Public Access TV on Time Warner Cable, and later used social media streaming to broadcast city and county commission meetings.

Education was always central to his ministry. In 1971, he started the first after-school program in West Virginia at Meadowdale's East Dale School, later expanding it to Monongalia County with help from WVU faculty and students. In Harrison County, he built a state model with Vincent Memorial Church and Nutter Fort Elementary, later extending it to Washington Irving Middle School.

"He was a big proponent of higher education, but an even bigger advocate for people to grow and seek new opportunities. He often guided people to those opportunities or connected people together who had similar interests and could both benefit," Drew said. "It seems natural, then, that we could connect students to Concord. It would be a beneficial connection for both."

The new scholarship will be awarded to a Concord undergraduate degree-seeking student who is either residing in or graduated from a Harrison or Marion County, W.Va., high school. It will help cover tuition, fees, and room and board, with preference given to students with financial need as determined by the CU Financial Aid Office. Funds will be renewable for students who remain in good academic standing with a 2.5 GPA or better each semester.

Drew emphasized that the goal of the scholarship is not solely academic, but also about supporting the student's growth as a whole person.

"We would like the recipient of the scholarship to have participated in experiences that benefited their local community. We want them to have that communal sense of lifting others up. That was certainly the spirit my father carried with him. He was always trying to help," Drew said. "He felt his calling as a minister was to lead more with his actions than with his words. To him, that meant showing up and helping the most marginalized."

Rev. Meighen's commitment to education extended beyond higher learning. He was elected to the Harrison County Board of Education in 1999 and later led a successful bond call to build a new West Fairmont Middle School in 2002. He also developed a summer playground program and helped launch an after-school program that served more than 200 students.

His greatest joy, however, was his family-especially his grandchildren.

"He really loved keeping up with his nine grandchildren. He was always asking about them and keeping tabs on all of them," Drew said. "He took a lot of pride in their growth and their successes."

Rev. Meighen's passion for community service was reflected in the honors and positions bestowed upon him. He served as chairman of Mission West Virginia, Scott's Run Settlement House, the United Way Fund Drive, and the Fairmont Coalition for Homelessness. He was also a member of the Center for Professional Development, the Supreme Court's Access to Justice Commission, Presbyterian Neighborhood House in Pursglove, Marion County Senior Citizens, the Fairmont Rotary Club, and the Family Resource Network, among others.

"I've heard so many wonderful stories recently about the positive role my dad played in the lives of others. Most of those stories didn't start from a sermon on Sunday," Drew said. "Instead, they developed a bond with my dad because they saw him out in the community, working to try to make it the best place possible."

The Rev. D.D. Meighen Scholarship has been established with the Concord University Foundation, and contributions are welcome. To support this scholarship in his honor, visit Scholarships & Funds - Concord University and select The Reverend Donald David "D.D." Meighen Scholarship in the scholarship gift designation dropdown menu.

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