Alumni buy instrument for band member

One West Virginia University student is able to pursue her professional dream.

Kelsey Webb, a freshman music major from Elkton, Md., was in need of a clarinet after a family tragedy put stress on finances, and a WVU alumni chapter stepped up to help.

To help her out, the Delaware Alumni Chapter of West Virginia University recently raised money to buy her the instrument. Webb's mother recently passed away after a battle with breast cancer, and a new instrument was going to be financially unattainable for Webb.

"I needed the new clarinet because at a college level, a music major really needs the professional model of their instrument in order to progress in the program," she said.

David Baum, president of the WVU Delaware Alumni Association, said the "Campaign for Kelsey" was able to raise $2,500 within 72 hours.

The funds were donated toward the purchase of a Buffet Crampon R-13 B-flat clarinet.

Webb said she received the clarinet on Monday and played it for the first time at the wind symphony and symphonic band concert Tuesday night.

"The R-13 is a professional clarinet and is a huge change from my old model," she said.

Baum said alumni members from the DAA, Chi Omega Sorority, Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, Kappa Alpha Fraternity and the Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity pulled together to raise the funds.

"A lot of alumni support students through these types of informal donations all of the time," said Jayne Armstrong, chief recruiter for the Delaware WVU Alumni Chapter.

Baum said he was told about Kelsey's story by Laura Jacobson, a board member of the Delaware chapter and also the mother of Webb's boyfriend.

Armstrong said once she was made aware of Webb's adversities and need for a new clarinet, she immediately e-mailed and sent a Facebook message to other alumni.

"I am forever indebted to WVU for opening doors for me, and this is just one way to give back," Armstrong said.

All of these alumni chapters were able to rally together and raise money in a short time to help Webb stay in school and fulfill her professional dreams, she said.

"All we ask is she does the same for another Mountaineer when she has the opportunity to pay it forward later in her career," she said.

Baum said older Mountaineers felt their WVU education taught them to make a difference when possible, especially if that difference could affect a younger Mountaineer.

"This is what being a Mountaineer is all about, paying it forward to the next generation. It's like they say, ‘Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer,'" Armstrong said.