Harry R. “Bud” Graham, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: Available to one student; attending a university to study teaching; minimum 3.5 GPA; combination of financial need and grades; scholarship to pay towards tuition, books and fees.

Amount: $1,000

Harry “Bud” Graham?The Harry R. “Bud” Graham Scholarship Fund provides a one-year $1,000 award to an Orange County High School graduate who plans to attend a college or university for the purpose of entering the teaching profession. Awardees must hold a minimum grade point average of 3.5. Preference is given to applicants with a combination of financial need and high academic achievement. The scholarship may be used to pay for tuition, books and fees.

The fund was established by Mr. Graham’s family following his death in 2010. The first scholarship was awarded in June, 2010.

Mr. Graham served as assistant superintendent of Orange County Public Schools from 1965 until his retirement in 1989. Mr. Graham began a 40-year career in public education as a government teacher and coach at Eagle Rock School in Botetourt County, Virginia, and later became principal of grades one through 12. In 1958, he was appointed principal of Maury Elementary School in Fredericksburg, a position he held until 1965. Mr. Graham was instrumental in establishing the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) at Maury Elementary, and later served as a state representative for SACS. In 1997, he received the Distinguished Educator Award from SACS.

Mr.Graham graduated from Radford High School and Emory and Henry College. He served in the United States Army during World War II. Later, he earned a master’s degree from the University of Virginia, where he was inducted into Phi Delta Kappa.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Graham received an outstanding service award from the Rappahannock District of the Boy Scouts of America for his work with the group. He also served on the boards of the Orange County American Heart Association and the Orange County Library. He was a faithful member of the Trinity United Methodist Church where he was active on district and conference levels. He enjoyed running and gardening. His high school classmates described him as “upright as an exclamation point,” reflecting the character he maintained all his life. Mr. Graham was a caring, kind and principled gentleman whose impact on many lives was deep and long lasting.

2020 Scholarship Winner

• Makenna Ritenour

Previous Winners of Harry “Bud” Graham Memorial Scholarship