History
The scholarship was established in the memory of a former member of the Orlando Runners Club, Charles (Chuck) M. Rowson, Jr., who died unexpectedly on Dec. 27, 1983.
Chuck was born in Utah in 1954 and moved to Orlando with his family in 1965. He attended Oak Ridge High School and graduated from Mid-Florida Tech in 1972. In 1973, he graduated from Valencia Community College where he was on the Dean’s List and had attained a 3.9 Grade Point Average his last semester. He had been accepted into the University of Central Florida and was planning to study accounting.
Chuck started running in 1980 and quickly increased his mileage from 17 to 60 miles a week. He set a goal to run a marathon within three years. In 1982, he ran the Florida Festival marathon in 4:17. By 1983, he lowered his time to 3:13. His best 10K time was under 35 minutes.
Club members decided to dedicate the 1983 New Year’s Eve race to his memory and started raising money to establish a scholarship in his honor. The first Charles M. Rowson, Jr. Memorial Scholarships were presented in June 1987, when two students were presented scholarships of $250 each. Afterwards the scholarship amount was increased to $300 each for a few years. In 1993 and 1994, the ORC set a goal of raising enough money from the annual “Run with the Fat Guy 5K” race to award four $1000 scholarships. In 1994 the club was able to present four scholarships of $1000 each.
Today, the Charles M. Rowson, Jr. Scholarship Fund is one of the primary beneficiaries of the annual Outback Distance Classic 12K/5K held each February. For past few years the Orlando Runners Club has provided almost 125 volunteers each year to support this unique and entertaining event held at downtown Lake Eola in Orlando. In return for the generosity and help of the volunteers, the club has reaped a tremendous yearly windfall for the fund.
The ORC Board of Directors established a trust fund to invest the money for long-term support of the scholar program. A three-member trust fund board was elected to oversee the investments of the fund.
The Charles M. Rowson, Jr. Scholarship has become recognized as one of Central Florida’s most prestigious awards given to graduating seniors with an interest in running. The winners are selected by the club based on their academic achievements, athletic abilities, school and community involvement and financial need.
Since 1987, 53 outstanding high school runners from the Central Florida area have received the scholarships. In 2006, four more names will be added to the distinguished list.
Scholarship Fund Trustees:
Dr. Seth Elsheimer
Richard Leaton
Susan Zwer
Purpose
The Charles M. Rowson, Jr. Memorial Scholarship is ORC's way of giving back to the community something to help foster interest in the sport we love. By supporting young people who have an interest in running, we are encouraging healthy, productive and disciplined lifestyles in these young adults.
Importance
The Outback Distance Classic 12K & 3K" now funds FOUR $1,000 scholarships each year and any additional earnings are placed in a scholarship trust fund to grow in value. It is an ORC member's obligation to support this race to the fullest extent. ORC volunteer participation not only supports the scholarship program, but also publicizes the Orlando Runners Club and generates goodwill towards the club.
Scholarship Criteria
Scholarship applicants are reviewed based on the following criteria:
- Must be graduating from public or private Orange or Seminole County high school
- Must be a runner on their school's track or cross-country team
- Must be accepted at a 2 or 4-year college and enrolling in the fall
- Must be planning on running Track/Cross Country in college
- Must submit an essay about the reasons for applying for the scholarship
- Must have a letter from the school verifying academic standing and GPA
- Must have a letter of recommendation from their athletic coach
- Must have a letter of recommendation from a teacher
- Must complete an application form and submit it no later than April 16.
Scholarship Application
The deadline for receipt of the application is May 7. Application forms are mailed to principals and athletic directors in Orange and Seminole County schools, public and private. Applications can be requested directly from the ORC or printed from the on-line ORC Scholarship Application. Scholarship recipients and parents are invited to be guests at the ORC Annual Banquet held in July.
For more information on applying for the Charles M. Rowson, Jr. Memorial Scholarship please contact Chris Daniels at 407.737.1400.