INSTITUTE — A new scholarship has been established at West Virginia State University in honor of Kanawha Circuit Judge Tera Salango.
The scholarship was established by Tera Salango's husband, Ben Salango, who is a Charleston attorney and Kanawha County Commissioner.
The preferred candidate for the scholarship is a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a career in criminal justice, social work, political science, or another field dedicated to improving social justice for all citizens; is in good academic standing with the university or demonstrates academic merit; has financial need; and is from West Virginia, with first preference for students from Nitro, Assistant Vice President for University Relations Jack Bailey said.
"In addition to financial support, Tera L. Salango Scholars will have the opportunity to pursue experiential learning opportunities with or arranged by Judge Salango," Bailey told The West Virginia Record. "Job shadowing, internships, and other hands-on learning experiences will help students not only to succeed academically but to clarify their career goals and gain valuable insights into how the criminal justice system works."
Bailey said any student can apply for the scholarship.
"Yes, current or new, accepted students can apply through WVSU’s scholarship portal, but the first scholarship award will not be made until 2025, for the 2025-2026 academic year," Bailey said. "Funds need to be invested for a full year in order to generate income for the first scholarship award."
West Virginia State University Vice President for University Advancement Patricia J. Schumann said the scholarship will provide help for students who otherwise may not be able to afford a university education.
"The Honorable Tera L. Salango Endowed Scholarship will help WVSU attract and support talented West Virginia students who may not otherwise be able to afford a university education," Schumann said to The West Virginia Record. "It will create opportunities for students who, like Judge Salango, have a commitment to improving social justice for all citizens. We are honored to have a scholarship in the name of this distinguished public servant."
The scholarship was created with a donation of $100,000. It will provide scholarship support to students attending West Virginia State University.
"Tera’s interest in the law and the criminal justice system really began at West Virginia State University," Ben Salango said in a WVSU news release. "I hope that through this endowed scholarship that same passion for improving social justice for all citizens of West Virginia may be instilled in others."
Tera Salango graduated from West Virginia State University in 1999 Magna Cum Laude with a degree in criminal justice and earned the highest grade-point average in her major. She graduated in the top 20% of her class from the West Virginia University College of Law in 2003. She worked as an attorney with the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and with the firms Spilman, Thomas & Battle and Preston & Salango until 2018, when she was elected to serve as a Kanawha Circuit Court judge and fill the seat vacated by Judge James C. Stucky upon his retirement.
Salango lives in Charleston with her husband and two sons. Throughout her life, she has served on various boards and committees that emphasize helping children.
