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, community involvement, academic achievement and desire.

Background

In 2011, Fred and Bertha Morene established the Fred C. and Bertha C. Morene Scholarship Endowment to assist students who were pursuing their educational dreams. With the ever-increasing need in this area and the cost of college tuition steadily climbing over the past few years, it has become very difficult for families to send their children to college. The Fred C. and Bertha C. Morene Scholarship Endowment will help make a difference in the lives of these families. This gift of a scholarship is reflective in the way the Morene's lived their lives in this community.

Fred and Bertha Morene lived in Hopewell all of their lives. They were very devoted to the Hopewell community. It meant much more to them than a place to call home. The Morene's have three daughters, Brenda, Joyce and Diane, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Fred Morene joined Ford Insurance and Real Estate Agency in July 1948. He started in the Insurance Department and served as the president of the Petersburg and Hopewell Insurance Agents Association. In 1966, he was placed in charge of the Real Estate Department. By serving on many realtor committees, he soon became president of the Southside Virginia Association of Realtors and in 1968, earned Realtor of the Year. Mr. Morene gained the positions of regional vice-president, educational chairman, VAR-VREB chairman, by-laws chairman, president of the Virginia Real Estate Education Foundation. Because of all his achievements, he was named Virginia Association of Realtors Realtor of the Year in 1995, which is the highest honor bestowed on a realtor. He also served as a director from Virginia for the National Association of Realtors as well as a member of several national committees.

Community service rounded out Mr. Morene's very busy life. He served as president of the Hopewell Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of the Hopewell Jaycees, a trustee and deacon as well as moderator, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, usher and other positions at First Baptist Church, a director of First Colonial Bank. a member of the Hopewell United Way, Hopewell Volunteer of the Year 1999, chairman of the Hopewell Post Office Advisory Council, Hopewell Business Man of the Year 1989, director and president of the Hopewell Emergency Crew and director of the Hopewell/Prince George Crime Solvers, member/chairman of the Hopewell Planning Commission, member of the Southside Virginia Homebuilders Association, a member of the Hopewell Traffic Commission, a member of the Tri-City International Management Council and the public address announcer of Hopewell High School sports for over 45 years, for whom the Merner Field Press Box is named along with Billy Mitchell.

Bertha Morene is a devoted wife and mother. She is a member of First Baptist Church where she sang in the choir for 72 years and served as a deaconess, Sunday school teacher, and Girls Auxiliary Counselor. She was also active in community activities including Chairman of the Tri-City Christian Women's Club and member of the Junior Women's Club. In addition, she served as a secretary in the office at Hopewell High School.

Policy

The scholarship program is available to seniors attending Hopewell High School. 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 college as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student (at least 6 hours per semester);
• Submit a completed John Randolph Foundation Scholarship Application ONLINE to include the required documents which must be uploaded with the application;
• Demonstrate financial need; and
• Must have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better