Peter and Linda Zulia have created a new endowment in support of a scholarship for the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. The Peter and Linda Zulia Endowed Scholarship was established to launch opportunities for WVU athletic training students.
“This endowment that Linda and I have created is established in part for what CPASS, and the Athletic Training Program specifically, offered me when I was a student athletic trainer. Quite simply, we are excited to create an opportunity for the benefit of future WVU Athletic Training students so that they can fulfill their dreams,” Zulia explained. The endowment gift amount to CPASS is $25,000.
Zulia graduated from WVU in 1983 with a Secondary Education and Athletic Training degree and earned a Master’s in Business Administration degree in 2014.
“My time at WVU convinced me that everything is possible and the only limit is what I imagine, which may be another reason why I came back to earn my MBA from WVU. This is one of many reasons why I love this place; it has always been home to me,” explained Zulia.
Zulia, who grew up in Lockport, NY, says that the expression, "Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer," is the essence of what he has become professionally. “Having purpose, creating opportunity and living my dream was enhanced during my time at WVU,” Zulia added.
“The balance of didactic and clinical education was invaluable for my career. As the years have gone on, I realize how fortunate I am to have graduated from this curriculum. Staff Athletic Trainers at the time, Glen Johnson, Greg Ott and Jack Brautigam, were key to my baseline knowledge,” Zulia added.
Zulia credits WVU graduate and then Athletic Training Curriculum Coordinator John Spiker for providing guidance and mentorship while helping him excel in his career. “I am lucky to have had these educators, as well as many fellow curriculum graduates, in my life,” he said.
“Pete and Linda’s gift offers excellent opportunities for students wanting to study athletic training and will help our most promising students pursue their degrees without undue financial burden. As we expand our programs and learning experiences for students on their way to launching meaningful careers, donor support becomes increasingly important to the college,” said Dana D. Brooks, CPASS dean and professor of Physical Education.
Following graduation Zulia accepted a position with a physical therapy firm in Ohio. After several years, he and Ken Rusche co-founded Oxford Physical Therapy. The partners have grown the business and now have 14 locations throughout Ohio and northern Kentucky.
The Zulias live in Cincinnati, OH and have a son, Chandler, a WVU senior and student manager for the football team, and a daughter, Chelsey, who works as a mental health and OCD specialist.
The Foundation, in partnership with the University, is currently conducting A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. The goal of the largest fundraising effort in the history of the University is to raise $1 billion by December 2017. For more information on the campaign, visit www.astateofminds.com.
For further information on the comprehensive campaign, please visitwww.astateofminds.com or cpass.wvu.edu.