After 15 years and nearly $90,000 awarded to 134 recipients, the George H.P. Smith Scholarship Fund at Greater Lewes Foundation will begin awarding multiyear support to its recipients in 2025
The scholarship was created in 2010 by the family of the late George H.P. Smith, a former Lewes mayor and beloved educator in the Cape Henlopen School District.
“Giving smaller $500 grants to a large number of needy college students has helped many young people afford books, clothing, fees, travel costs and other necessities as the funds were needed,” said Barbara Smith Rivers, whose vision and dedication made the fund a reality.
“We’ve now decided to support a smaller number of students with renewable scholarships of up to four years, to help ensure their successful matriculation in college,” she said.
Over the years, the George H.P. Smith Scholarship Fund has been able to build an endowment exceeding $100,000 that Smith Rivers said will now be used to fund $1,500 grants for as many as four students at a time for up to four years.
The students will be selected by Cape Henlopen High School counselors based upon financial need, potential and their commitment to succeed in college. Any graduating seniors from Cape High can apply, said Smith Rivers.
“Our dad loved all his students, regardless of race or background,” she said. “Based upon his own experience at Delaware State University, he was a strong believer in the importance of securing a college degree. We believe this new approach would have met with his approval.”
The George H.P. Smith scholarship Fund has grown solely through community efforts with grants, volunteer support and sustainable funding from generous local companies including Harvard Business Services Inc. Through its management by GLF, it has operated without overhead expense.
For more information, go to greaterlewesfoundation.org.
