Grandsons honor late doctor with Marshall scholarship
By Lilly Adkins
BSN Associate Editor
LOUISA — The grandsons of a Wayne County resident honored their late grandfather with a new scholarship at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Samuel D. Wellman Jr., M.D., class of 1983 and a neonatologist (specializes in treating critically ill newborns) in Hickory, N.C.; Marc A. Workman, M.D., class of 1986 and a family medicine physician in Louisa; and James F. Spears II, M.D., class of 1987 and an independent contractor in family practice/urgent care in Huntington, W.Va., created a scholarship to carry on the legacy of their grandfather and Wayne County, W.Va., native Roy Wellman, a release by Marshall University said.
Wellman enrolled at Marshall College in 1928 after graduating with high honors for the original Huntington High School, the release said, and was able to earn a provisional teaching certificate before the Great Depression halted his formal higher education training.
Wellman taught in Wayne County schools for nearly six years. He and his wife, Blanche Lakin Wellman, owned and operated a small store selling groceries, everyday merchandise, appliances and feed for livestock, the release said.
Wellman also worked at the Louisa City Bank for several years before joining the Wayne County Bank, from which he eventually retired after serving many roles from bank teller and loan officer to a member of the board of directors.
Wellman died in 1980 at the age of 71, the release also said.
Higher education was always important to Wellman, who encouraged his seven grandchildren to attend college and he lived by example, going back to earn his Regents Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University in May 1978, the release said. Each grandchild subsequently attended Marshall University and earned degrees ranging from bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and geology to journalism and mass communications, the release also said.
The three cousins agree that the example set by their grandfather was a motivating factor in their decisions to pursue careers in medicine, citing his compassion and care for those he served throughout his life, the release said.
The article pointed out that as a country store owner, he provided vital lines of credit to his neighbors in need and as a banker, he always treated his clients as friends and neighbors.
Wellman’s grandchildren said in the release that their grandfather always saw the best in the men and women in his community and now they are giving back to the university that has been such an important part of their family’s lives.
The newly established Roy Wellman Endowed Scholarship is designated for Marshall medical students from Wayne County.
For more information or to make a gift to the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, contact Linda Holmes, director of development and alumni affairs, at (304) 691-1711 or email holmes@marshall.edu.