William Vatavuk Scholarship

2024 William Vatavuk Scholarship Award –

Note Deadline of April 5, 2024!
Sponsored by the Bennett Place Support Fund, Inc.

The Bennett Place Support Fund, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to support Bennett Place State Historic Site in Durham, NC, is honoring one of its late members and contributors of Bennett Place with an academic scholarship award. This scholarship of $1000.00 will be awarded to a deserving student who is a current Senior of an accredited high school in North Carolina. The scholarship will be presented to the award winner the April weekend of the Surrender Commemoration events at Bennett Place State Historic Site.

History of Mr. William Vatavuk
Mr. William “Bill” Vatavuk was the president of the Bennett Place Support Fund, Inc. during the 1980’s and 1990’s. He was a commissioned officer with the U.S. Public Health Service and worked with the Environmental Protection Agency for 30 years. Bill Vatavuk was greatly committed to community service and youth organizations. A 4-H volunteer for over twenty years, he was a tutor, a Kids Vote Durham precinct volunteer, and a member of Durham’s Youth Management Board. He received the honorable President of the US Call to Service Award for his 4,000 plus hours of community service. In addition to his leadership of the Bennett Place Support Fund, Inc. was his contribution of the Bennett Place history guidebook, “Dawn of Peace”, which was nominated in 1990 for the Pulitzer Prize for American History and the North Carolina Mayflower Award.

Guidelines for the Scholarship Funds:
The $1000 must be put toward tuition, fees for lab studies, books and notebooks, computers and related media supplies, or other related supplies directly related to the pursuit of the diploma or degree. Any unrelated use of these funds is prohibited.
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges, who will determine the recipient of the William Vatavuk Scholarship.

Criteria for Applicants:

• High school senior
• Students planning to attend a 4 year or 2 year college or university
• Transcripts with a minimum of a B average for at least the past two semesters
• 1 (one) Letter of Recommendation from Teachers, Mentors, Employers (Letters of recommendation from family are not considered)

DEADLINE for Submission: April 5, 2024
Essays:
This is an Essay based procedure which will consist of 3 essays, between 400-600 words for each.
Each essay must be typed and double spaced.

• I. Describe the History of the Bennett Family and Home
• II. What pivotal point did Bennett Place have in American history?
• III. Discuss Bennett Place today

All applications and essays must be postmarked by APRIL 5, 2024 and be physically mailed to:

Bennett Place State Historic Site
Attn. William Vatavuk Scholarship Committee
4409 Bennett Memorial Road Durham, NC  27705

Questions should be directed to the Bennett Place Support Fund, Inc.
Mr. Chandler Vatavuk, Chairman
919-383-4345
Chandler0201@gmail.com

Click here to download application for William Vatavuk Scholarship Award