Mark Hutchison / David Cosner Scholarship Fund
The Mark Hutchison and David Cosner Scholarship Fund, established in 2015 by family and friends, honors the memory of two local servicemen by providing an annual scholarship to a senior from Randolph Technical Center who exemplifies the values of respect, discipline, honor, responsibility, commitment, and service.
FUND TYPE: Scholarship
DATE: Initiated August 20, 2015, Approved October 21, 2015
PURPOSE: To honor the memory of Mark Hutchison and David Cosner by providing a scholarship to a senior from Randolph Technical Center who demonstrates the qualities valued by the Marines and the Navy: respect, discipline, honor, responsibility, commitment, and service to others.
DISTRIBUTION: Once the fund reaches the minimum funding requirement of $20,000, it will provide an annual scholarship award to a Randolph County vo-tech student upon the recommendation of the Scholarship Committee and the approval of the TCF Board of Directors.
VARIANCE POWER: If, in the judgment of the TCF Board of Directors, the restrictions and conditions of the fund become unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment, or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community, the TCF Board of Directors maintains the right to modify the terms of this fund.
FUNDING: Initial funding was provided by Tim Harris, along with family and friends of Mark Hutchison and David Cosner.
BACKGROUND: The Mark Hutchison and David Cosner Scholarship Fund was established to honor the lives and legacies of two Randolph County men who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Edward Hutchison
Mark Edward Hutchison attended Randolph Vocational Technical Center and graduated from Elkins High School in 1981. Choosing a military career, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a boiler technician and rose to the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. During the Gulf War, he was stationed aboard the assault ship USS Iwo Jima as part of Operation Desert Shield in the Persian Gulf. On October 30, 1990, Mark tragically lost his life at the age of 27 in a catastrophic explosion in the ship’s boiler room.
Marine Corporal David Lee Cosner
Marine Corporal David Lee Cosner graduated from Elkins High School in 1979. After high school, he worked at Webb Ford Sales before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1982. CPL Cosner was deployed to Beirut, Lebanon, as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission. He served as an administrative assistant in the personnel office of Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. On October 23, 1983, he was killed in the terrorist attack on the Marine base in Beirut at just 22 years old.
Through this scholarship, the values and sacrifices of Mark Hutchison and David Cosner will continue to inspire future generations of students pursuing technical education and service to their communities.
