Named Scholarships

Since 1966, more than 80 Named Scholarships have been created to support deserving Radnor High School seniors pursuing a post-high school education.

By funding a Named Scholarship you will make a difference in the life of a young person here at home .

Interested in establishing a named scholarship in memory of or in honor of someone? Are you a business or corporation looking to give back to the community? Please contact the Radnor High School Scholarship Fund at info@radnorscholarshipfund.com to learn how.

BARBARA L. PRESCOTT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Barbara L. Prescott (nee Readler) was a dedicated volunteer and long-time member of the Board of Governors of the Radnor High School Scholarship Fund. A native of Delaware County, Barbara was a three-sport varsity athlete at Glenolden High School where she was actively involved in school life including student government and the school newspaper. Along with her husband of 59 ½ years, she raised three daughters—all Radnor High School alumnae—in Newtown Square. She was active in her communities her entire life—from her high school to Radnor Township to the city of Philadelphia.

Mrs. Prescott recognized the importance of education in transforming the lives of young people. A member of the Board of Governors of the Radnor High School Scholarship Fund, she devoted decades of her life to this endeavor planning and participating in activities and events to raise funds for scholarships for Radnor students with demonstrated financial need. She was active in the Radnor community, eventually becoming an election official in recognition of the important role of democracy in the lives of the citizenry.

Barbara found fulfillment in renewing blighted areas and restoring neglected buildings. She was comfortable wielding a hammer or using a paintbrush to create beauty in a neighborhood. The results of her efforts can be seen in Philadelphia’s Art Museum area and in the lovingly restored Catawissa Opera House in upstate Pennsylvania.

In recognition of Barbara Prescott’s life and contributions to the Radnor Community, her family has established a named scholarship to be awarded to a Radnor senior with financial need who exemplifies her belief in academic achievement and involvement in school activities.

NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO THE CLASS OF 2025

ART LEWIS SCHOLARSHIP

The Art Lewis Scholarship was founded in 2016 upon the 50th Anniversary of the Radnor High School Scholarship Fund and continues to this day thanks to the generosity of the Lewis family. The award honors a man who has devoted his life to community service in Radnor Township and beyond. His many contributions include serving as a Radnor Township Commissioner and as a long-time member and president of the Radnor School Board. He has been active in the Wayne United Methodist Church where he has held numerous leadership and teaching positions. He was a co-founder of the Radnor Youth Soccer Program and was instrumental in the operation of the Radnor-Wayne Little League.

Mr. Lewis’s name has been associated with the Radnor High School Scholarship Fund for over 40 years with decades of leadership as president of the RHSSF. Many Radnor residents will recognize him as the “voice behind the microphone” at the annual July Fourth fireworks display at Radnor High School. Generations of Radnor students with financial need have benefited from Art’s hard work and dedication to the Scholarship Fund.

BUCK FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

The Buck Family Scholarship was established in 2015 by the Buck children to honor Bruce and Susan Buck, parents of nine Radnor High School graduates, all of whom attended Radnor schools, K-12. Bruce and Susan encouraged their children to work hard and actively participate in their school community, both in and out of the classroom.

CLASS OF 1969 SCHOLARSHIP

Since 2000, the RHS Class of 1969 has funded a scholarship to a graduating Radnor High School senior with financial need. In creating the scholarship following their 30th year reunion, the organizers stated the following in a letter to their classmates: As you know, the 1969 class was a terrific class. We were a special mix of personalities and attitudes during a difficult time in American history. We set up this scholarship to give back to the school WE all loved.

Corrigan Family Scholarship

The Corrigan Family Scholarship represents donations given in memory of George Corrigan, beloved offensive coach at Radnor Lacrosse, and Mary Corrigan, mother of three Radnor graduates: George “GT (’82), Scott “Booker” (’83), and Kelly (’85).

DAVISON FAMILY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

John and Mildred Davison were the proud parents of eleven children who grew up in Wayne and attended Radnor schools. One of their sons, Richard J. (Rick) Davison (’70) himself a recipient of a Radnor Scholarship, became an executive of Norfolk Southern Railroad. In 2007, Rick founded The John and Mildred Davison Memorial Scholarship in memory of his parents.

Reflecting on his own scholarship, Rick said that it encouraged him to pursue higher education because someone in addition to family recognized his potential and wanted to help him achieve his dreams. Rick passed away suddenly in 2019, but his legacy lives on through the Davison Family Memorial Scholarship which now honors not only his parents but Rick as well.

Donald A. Wood Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is given in memory of Donald A. Wood (1936-2024). A lifelong resident of Radnor Township, Don was a member of the RHS Class of 1954. A graduate of Lehigh University and the University of Pennsylvania, he taught Physics at Radnor High School for 30 years.

Mr. Wood was deeply devoted to his community and was an active fireman with the Radnor Fire Company for 62 years, beginning as a “School Boy Fireman” at the age of 15. He wore many hats for RFC and served three separate terms as Fire Chief. In addition, Don served as the Fire Marshal for Radnor Township for 22 years. He developed course curriculum and taught at the National Fire Academy for 32 years. His life was one of service and selfless devotion to the welfare of others.

GARRETT HILL/WES ADAMS/ELLIS DWYER SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded since its inception in 2019, the Garrett Hill/Wes Adams/Ellis Dwyer Scholarship honors two gentlemen—one active in the community and the other a teacher and coach—who touched the lives of many growing up in the Garrett Hill community. This scholarship is sponsored by Tony Adams, Class of 1958.

Wes and Dottie Adams spent 20 years living in Garrett Hill raising their sons, Wes, Jr. and Tony. Wes founded the Garrett Hill Boys’ Club at Rosemont School where weekly, local young men would spend their evenings working out and learning. Dottie Adams started the Rosemont Rollicks, a variety show of 30 to 40 Garrett Hill residents which entertained Radnor audiences for over ten years.

Ellis C. Dwyer was a long-time teacher of mathematics at Radnor High School, but his influence extended beyond the classroom. He was a mentor to generations of young people through his summer work as supervisor of the Rosemont School playground and the development of skilled basketball players. He created the Radnor Summer Basketball League and organized it for three decades. He was the coach of the Radnor boys’ varsity basketball team from 1942 until his retirement in 1973. In 2012, the Radnor High School gymnasium was named in his honor. Dwyer’s basketball teams were legendary winning 12 league championships and seven district titles. His teams reached Pennsylvania’s Eastern Finals five times and the State Final in 1960.

Mr. Dwyer is a member of the Washington College Hall of Fame, Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, and the Radnor High School Hall of Fame.

Gemma Duffy Memorial Scholarship

Gemma Duffy grew up in Wayne and attended Wayne Elementary School and Radnor Middle School before graduating from Radnor High School in 2011. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management from Temple University.

Gemma had a big personality, and her smile could instantly light up a room and make everyone instantly feel better. Music was a huge part of Gemma’s life. She played trombone and euphonium and was a member of multiple musical groups including the RHS Marching Band, Concert Band, and Honors Jazz Band. She also played with the Eastern University Concert and Jazz Bands , the Temple University Diamond Marching Band, the Temple Night Owl Band, and the Alexandria (VA) Community Band.

Gemma’s vibrant life was cut short in a tragic automobile accident on December 25, 2017.

ITHAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTO

Established in 2009, the Ithan Elementary School PTO continues a long tradition of supporting the Scholarship Fund. Each year a scholarship in its name is granted to a deserving former IES student.

James F. Merriman Memorial Scholarship

No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave. –Calvin Coolidge

This quote embodies the life of James F. Merriman a long-time resident of Radnor Township who gave freely of his time and talents to community service. A graduate of Grove City College with a degree in accounting. He worked for Scott Paper early in his career and as a marketing executive for Campbell Soup Co.

He was appointed Radnor Township Treasurer in 1981 and served three terms. His board memberships included the Main Line YMCA and the Philadelphia-based Society of the Sons of St. George, among others. In the late 1960s, he revived the tradition of Fourth of July Fireworks, initially to benefit the Wayne Teen Center and later the Radnor High School Scholarship Fund.

Mr. Merriman was a strong proponent of the Radnor High School Scholarship Fund serving for many years as a member of its Board of Governors and treasurer. The scholarship was established by the Merriman family in 2005.

JOHN DEFLAMINIS LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

John DeFlaminis served as Superintendent of the Radnor Township School District from 1986 to 2003. He went on to the University of Pennsylvania where he was the executive director of the Center for Educational Leadership. Initial funding for the scholarship came from contributions from the Radnor community on the occasion of his retirement. In the years after those funds were awarded, Dr. DeFlaminis has continued to sponsor the scholarship. His focus on the importance of leadership and the development of strong leaders is reflected in the JohnDeFlaminis Leadership Scholarship.

JOHN L. DALE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The John L. Dale Memorial Scholarship was established in 2018 by a former student in honor of a beloved teacher who served the Radnor High School community for thirty years and touched the lives of thousands of Radnor students. Following Mr. Dale’s passing in 2020, the scholarship was renamed in his memory. A dedicated educator, Mr. Dale had a keen and abiding interest in history. He was Social Studies department chair at the high school and earlier in his career also served as K-12 Social Studies Coordinator. He sponsored Model U.N. at Radnor High School and was actively involved in organizations such as the World Affairs Council, Radnor A Better Chance, and the Radnor Historical Society.

Lau Kwong Memorial Scholarship

The Lau Kwong Memorial Scholarship was established in 2025 by the Lau Longsworth Charitable Fund to honor the memory of Lau Kwong (1944-2001). Born in Shanghai, China, during the final years of the Chinese Civil War, as a child Lau Kwong fled to British Hong Kong with his family to escape Communist rule. Poverty limited his opportunity to receive a formal education after elementary school, but he eventually earned an avionics technician certificate and worked for commercial airlines all over the world, including Singapore Airlines, Air Malta, Iran Air, Cathay Pacific, and Saudia. Despite his humble beginnings and modest vocation as an aviation mechanic, Lau Kwong leveraged every resource and relationship at his disposal so that he could afford to send his only child to the secondary and post-secondary schools of her choosing. His daughter, Jannie Lau, was elected to the Radnor Township School Board in 2023, and his two grandchildren attended Radnor schools since kindergarten. His daughter and son-in-law, Todd Longsworth, are proud to fund this scholarship in his memory.

MERYL AND BEN ZUCKERMAN SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is given in loving memory of Meryl and Ben Zuckerman.

RADNOR COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year, Radnor Community Scholarships are awarded to one or more students. These scholarships are funded directly from donations made by members of the Radnor community to our general fund. Whether from the annual Community Campaign in the fall or other fund-raising efforts that vary from year to year, each contribution makes a difference in the life of a deserving Radnor High School senior here at home.

RADNOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTO SCHOLARSHIP

The Radnor Elementary School PTO generously funds a scholarship to a deserving student that attended RES during their elementary school years in Radnor.

ROTARY CLUB OF WAYNE SCHOLARSHIP

The relationship between the RHSSF and the Rotary Club of Wayne is a long one. The Rotary has awarded a scholarship through the Scholarship Fund every year since 1990. The Rotary Club’s emphasis on service to others is reflected in this scholarship.

RUTH STEVENS TEWKSBURY SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is given in loving memory of Ruth Stevens Tewksbury.

Stephen H. Pendergast Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the Pendergast family in memory of Steve Pendergast. A lifelong resident of the Main Line, Steve was a member of the Radnor High School Class of 1960 and attended Villanova University. Steve took tremendous pride in his hometown, graciously donating his time and talents to the Alumni Association of Radnor High School, the Radnor Historical Society, and the Radnor High School “Has-Beens,” in addition to volunteering in Bryn Mawr Hospital’s Emergency Room for over 30 years.

Thomas A. Palmer Memorial Scholarship

Established by the Palmer family, the Thomas A. Palmer Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of Thomas A. Palmer (1929-2018). Mr. Palmer was a graduate of Oberlin College and served as Senior Vice President of Philadelphia National Bank until his retirement. Mr. Palmer and his wife, former Radnor School Board member Joann D. Palmer, raised their family in Villanova. Their four children are Radnor High School alumni.

Wayne Elementary School PTO Scholarship

The Wayne Elementary School PTO established this scholarship this year. It is awarded to a deserving student who attended WES.

William C. and Madeleine Herle Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2013 in memory of William C. and Madeleine Brisset Herle. Mr. Herle served in the U.S. Army during the European campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he continued his service as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve and was an economist for the U.S. government. Born in France, Madeleine Herle worked as a translator and then secretary at the U.S. Army base in Le Mans. It was there that she met her future husband.

William P. Sears Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is given in memory of William P. Sears. Will grew up in Wayne and was a member of the Class of 1984. He earned an AB in History from Colgate University and a JD from Washington and Lee University. He was a congressional staff assistant, an aide to PA Senator Rick Santorum, and later counsel to the Federal Transit Agency. He was an expert in matters dealing with local public transportation.