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James Oleson, president and trustee
with the Napoleon Hill Foundation, presents a check to Chancellor
David J. Prior. The Napoleon Hill Foundation recently presented The
University of Virginia’s College at Wise with $100,000 for the
Napoleon Hill Scholarship Fund.
The fund provides scholarships for up
to 10 of the College’s best and brightest students. Students in the
Napoleon Hill Scholars program participate in a leadership program
that provides training on the principles touted by Napoleon Hill.
The scholarship fund now stands at
more than $500,000. The donation was made during the annual Napoleon
Hill Day at UVa-Wise on Oct. 20.
“We hope we can continue to add to
it,” said Don Green, executive director of the Napoleon Hill
Foundation. Students in the Napoleon Hill Scholars program attended
the presentation.
“The Napoleon Hill Scholars program
is so beneficial to the College and its students,” said student
Jekeyma Robinson of Honaker. “I’m really looking forward to working
in the program.”
During the event, the scholars also
heard words of encouragement from Jim Connelly, an entrepreneur and
motivational author. Connelly warned the students they would face
plenty of obstacles as they go through life, but practicing the
principles Napoleon Hill taught in his many books would help them
meet any challenge.
“It’s not what happens to you in
life, it’s what you do about it that matters,” Connelly said.
Connelly recounted how he wasted 20 years of his life in poverty
before he traveled to California and took a room clerk job at the
Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. He spoke of the fear he
felt just before he walked through the majestic hotel’s door.
“I had zero skills, but I had a
really good work ethic,” he said. Connelly worked extra shifts
without pay just to learn the hotel business. A mentor gave him a
copy of Hill’s book Think and Grow Rich. Six years later, Connelly
was general manager.
“That book changed my life and the
lives of many, many people,” Connelly said. “I credit Napoleon Hill
for positioning me in life to help a lot of people.” Connelly
started 15 different successful businesses and is the author of the
bestselling book One More Sunset. The proceeds of his book fund a
recovery program for United States military veterans who are
recovering from head and brain injuries.
Headquartered at UVa-Wise, the
Napoleon Hill Foundation is a nonprofit educational institution
dedicated to promoting Hill’s philosophy. Hill was born in poverty
in a one-room cabin on the Pound River in 1883. He became an advisor
to presidents and a best-selling author.
First published in 1937, Think and
Grow Rich has sold millions of copies worldwide and continues to
appear on the list of top business books.
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