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Radcliffe Family Establishes Memorial Scholarship Fund for CSDHS Students
Pictured left to right are George M. Radcliffe, Jr., holding granddaughter Julia Radcliffe; his wife Jackie Radcliffe, and son, Greg Radcliffe, holding his son Sam. The Radcliffe family of Cambridge established the Andrew M. Radcliffe Scholarship Fund through the Mid- Shore Community Foundation to memorialize their son and brother, Andrew Radcliffe, who passed away suddenly in 2002.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (EASTON, MD – AUGUST 9, 2010)
The George Radcliffe family of Dorchester County has been interested in education since Radcliffe's ancestor John A. L. Radcliffe built a one room Victorian school, Castle Haven School, outside of Cambridge in 1870. The school building is dedicated to its successive teachers and students. Today, George and Jackie Radcliffe are managing the family's farm, along with a complex of buildings on Route 343 which they have restored over the years. The complex includes the historic Castle Haven School; the Spocott Windmill, called the "George L," built to honor Senator George L. Radcliffe; a colonial tenant house; and a country store, which includes memorabilia about Senator Radcliffe.
When one of George M. Radcliffe's sons, Andrew, passed away unexpectedly in 2002, it was only fitting then that the family decided to honor his zest for learning and love for his community by establishing the Andrew M. Radcliffe Scholarship Fund through the Mid- Shore Community Foundation (MSCF). Andrew's parents, both school teachers, knew the value of education and thought this a befitting way both memorialize their son and to help their community. Jackie Radcliffe, reflects, "We felt as if Andrew would feel like he was giving back to the community if we created this fund."
"Andy" as affectionately called by friends and family had graduated from Cambridge-South Dorchester High School in 1993 where he was valedictorian of his class. Following the footsteps of his grandfather, George M. Radcliffe, Sr. (Class of '43), he then earned a bachelor's degree from Princeton University in 1997. After completing his master's degree in creative writing from the University of Miami in Oxford, Ohio, Andy worked as English professor at Miami University until his death. He had completed his first novel, "Where There is Water" and was working on another upon his death.
The Andrew M. Radcliffe Scholarship Fund provides annual scholarships to deserving graduating seniors at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School (CSDHS) who like Andy exemplify motivation, leadership, and who are active in their community. Andy's father, George M. Radcliffe, Jr., comments, "Andy was loved by his class at Cambridge-South Dorchester and made friends with everyone there. The Fund had enabled us to memorialize him and to assist students who could benefit from a helping hand in our community."
The Andrew Radcliffe Scholarship Fund awarded scholarships to its first recipients this year. The recipients were Jaleesa Ann Young and Jermaine Tione Matthews, both of Cambridge and 2010 graduates of CSDHS.
The Radcliffe family continues fundraising efforts to grow their scholarship fund so that it can continue to help students from Cambridge-South Dorchester High School realize their dreams. If you are interested in donating to the Andrew M. Radcliffe Scholarship Fund, contact Robbin Hill at the MSCF at 410-822-8175 or visit www.mscf.org.
