Diane L. Stiger

Diane L. Stiger created this gift with friends and family of Dr. Ben E. Wright. The scholarship was made in 1988. Dr. Wright earned his B.A. in music from Arkansas Tech, his master’s degree from Louisiana State University, and his doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado. He began his teaching career in Morrilton, Arkansas, and later in Derby, Kansas. At James Madison University (JMU), he directed the chamber and symphony orchestras for 16 years, also teaching woodwind methods and oboe. He founded the “Spring String Thing,” attracting hundreds of junior and senior high string players. As an oboist, he performed with various orchestras and was part of the JMU Faculty Woodwind Quintet. He conducted the Rockbridge Symphony and was sought after as an adjudicator and guest conductor for high school groups. The Wright Scholarship is awarded to a string major selected by the School of Music.