Purpose
To promote continuing education for students pursuing a degree in English, government, journalism, marketing, or a career in education or the performing arts by awarding scholarships for attendance at institutions of higher education to individuals who demonstrate academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, service to the community, and financial need.
Background
This scholarship was originally established in 2011, when our dad, Jack, created it to honor the memory of our mom, Nancy, who passed away in 2009. They met and married and raised their family in Hopewell, beginning in the 1950s. They lived here for 30 years before being transferred elsewhere, and returned in 2008 for their final years. Both Jack and Nancy were greatly involved in making their community a better place in which to live, as shown by the many local organizations to which they dedicated their time.
Nancy Johnson Seavy was born in North Carolina in 1927, and earned a BA degree in English at UNC in Greensboro in 1946. Throughout her years in Hopewell, she worked extensively with the Theatre Workshop for Young Artists, the Thelma Olaker Youth Civic Ballet Company, the James River Ball, and the Historic Hopewell Foundation. She taught high school government and English, and established her own public relations firm, leading to many years as the director of marketing for a local theatre. Her lifelong activities reflect a love of the performing arts, public relations, marketing and family. She exemplified independence and strength at a time in our history when women did not typically do so. She was a businesswoman, arts advocate, and community leader.
John Edgar Seavy (Jack) was born in Pennsylvania in 1925, and earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from Penn State in 1946. His lifelong career was working for Hercules, Inc, with assignments in Hopewell, Wilmington, the Netherlands, New York, and New Jersey, retiring as plant manager. While in Hopewell, he was actively involved in leadership with the Hopewell Kiwanis Club, the Happy Acres Foundation, and the First United Methodist Church. He was an avid fisherman, gardener, bridge player, history buff, and genealogist….and a loyal Penn State fan.
The purpose of the scholarship remains as originally established. As this scholarship is revised to honor the many memories of both of our parents, we have increased the emphasis on a commitment to community involvement through leadership and service, as this has always been important to them both.
Policy
The scholarship program is available to residents in the Foundation’s entire service area, including Hopewell, Prince George, Colonial Heights, Petersburg, Fort Lee, Dinwiddie, Sussex, Surry, Chesterfield (South of Rt. 288 and East of Ironbridge Road), Charles City and Varina (Southeast Henrico, south of I-64). Student interns working for John Randolph Foundation are eligible to apply; however, foundation trustees, other foundation employees and their immediate families(parents, spouses, brothers, sisters, and anyone claimed as a dependent for tax purposes) are not eligible to apply.
Scholarship Applicants Must
● Express a desire for continued education by attending college as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student (at least 6 hours per semester);
● Demonstrate scholastic achievement (must have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better);
● Demonstrate a commitment to community involvement through leadership and service;
● Be a well rounded individual with extracurricular activities;
● Submit a completed John Randolph Foundation Scholarship Application ONLINE to include the required documents which must be uploaded with the application.
Criteria Scoring
● (10 Points) Academics
● (10 Points) Extracurricular Activities
● (10 Points) Community Service
● (5 Points) Financial Need
● (5 Points) Statement and Essay
● (5 Points) Letters of Recommendation
Procedure
The scholarship will be paid directly to the school for current year tuition, fees, books purchased through the institution attended, and on-campus dormitory and meal plan expenses. The scholarship committee will review and evaluate all applications and announce awards each spring. The committee will also review and revise the scholarship policy and criteria as necessary.
To apply, visit www.johnrandolphfoundation.org, click on Grants & Scholarships and Apply for a Scholarship.
The application and required attachments must be submitted online no later than midnight on February 15. If the above due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, then the deadline becomes the next business day by midnight.
Required Attachments to be uploaded as part of Application process include:
● Academic Transcript(s) (High School or College whichever applies.)
● FAFSA Submission Summary (which includes the Student Aid Index (SAI): formally known as Expected Family Contribution (EFC). SAI is an eligibility index number used to determine federal student aid and is generated from the completed FAFSA Application.
● Two Letters of Recommendation (Current)
Failure to submit the online application with all documents attached to the application by the deadline will disqualify an applicant from consideration for the Jack and Nancy Memorial Scholarship Endowment. The John Randolph Foundation Scholarship Committee reserves the right to interview applicants in the final stages of selection.
The decision of the scholarship committee in all matters regarding scholarships is final. Canvassing a scholarship benefactor, any John Randolph Foundation trustee or employee shall result in immediate disqualification. Scholarship awards are subject to the availability of funds, meeting the criteria as outlined in the guidelines of the individual scholarship program and contingent upon acceptance and enrollment in an approved program.
John Randolph Foundation respects the privacy of scholarship applicants. Any personal or financial information will be used for the purpose of assessing the scholarship application and will be made available solely to the Foundation’s staff and scholarship selection committee. We make every effort to maintain your confidentiality.