Purpose

To promote continuing education for any course of study by awarding scholarships for attendance at institutions of higher education to individuals who demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, and desire.

Background

The Dr. James L. Ruffa Scholarship Fund was established in July 2021 to honor the memory of Dr. James L. Ruffa. Dr. Ruffa had a passion for public education and students. He served as Executive Director at Appomattox Regional Governor’s School during the 2009-2010 school year. Dr. Ruffa came to the Governor’s School in 2004 from Virginia State University, where he was an assistant professor in the master’s and doctoral programs of education for three years. Prior to his stint at VSU, he served as superintendent of Colonial Heights Public Schools for eight years, stepping down in 2001. Dr. Ruffa earned a Doctor of Education degree from Virginia Tech, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Old Dominion University. His love for Appomattox Regional Governor’s School was unmatched. When asked in 2009, Dr. Ruffa stated that he had “spent the last 40 years in public education but the five years at ARGS have been different because the school is truly like no other.” Ironically, the Governor’s School building is the old Petersburg High School, which is where Dr. Ruffa graduated in 1965.

Policy

The scholarship program is available to seniors graduating from The Appomattox Regional Governor's School for the Arts and Technology. 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.

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• Express an interest in attending as a full-time student, a college which offers four year-degrees;
• Submit a completed John Randolph Foundation Scholarship Application ONLINE to include the required documents which must be uploaded with the application;
• Must have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better