Contact: Carrie Blewitt
Qorvis Communications
(202) 683-3216
cblewitt@qorvis.com

Earl W. Stafford Sr. to be Inducted into Horatio Alger Association in April for Achieving the American Dream
Two Virginia Students to Receive Horatio Alger National Scholarship Worth $20,000

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2010 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans will welcome Earl W. Stafford Sr., Chief Executive Officer, The Wentworth Group LLC, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Stafford Foundation, Inc. next month where he will receive the 2010 Horatio Alger Award.

Stafford will be formally inducted into the association on April 9, 2010 in Washington, D.C. because of his ability to overcome great adversity, achieve admirable accomplishments, and offer countless hours and resources to help others in need.

The Horatio Alger Association is also pleased to announce that it has awarded two students from Virginia the Horatio Alger National Scholarship worth $20,000 to fund their college education. Lindsy C. Greene of Norfolk who attends Matthew F. Maury high school and Brenton E. Stokes of Suffolk who attends Lakeland high school will receive the esteemed scholarship for a four-year college or university of their choice, also during the Washington ceremonies.

Greene and Stokes are two of 104 American high school students selected for the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program because they both have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young life while demonstrating strength of character, a commitment to pursue a college education, and a desire to contribute to society. The national scholars are among the best and most determined youth in America.

“We are excited to welcome our 2010 National Scholars along with our new class of members. These young men and women have exemplified the Horatio Alger ideals by using their challenges in life as a motivator for success,” said David L. Sokol, president and chief executive officer of the Horatio Alger Association. “The association is not just a check-writing organization. We are proud to focus on the whole scholar and to help the students find continued success in school and beyond.”

During the four-day event in Washington, the 2010 Horatio Alger Members will meet and mingle with the 2010 National Scholars and share valuable life lessons and advice.

The association will award the following other ten individuals with the Horatio Alger Award: Albert T. Annexstad, Chairman, Federated Insurance Companies; William Alfred Cook, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cook Group Incorporated; General Tommy R. Franks, Former Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Central Command, and Chairman, Franks & Associates; Joseph M. “Jody” Grant, Partner and Senior Advisor, BankCap Partners, and Chairman Emeritus, Texas Capital Bank; Jenard M. Gross, President, Gross Investments; Lawrence Mead Higby, CEO (Retired), Vice Chairman and Advisor, Apria Healthcare Group Inc.; Richard D. Holland, Philanthropist and Chairman (Retired), Rollheiser Holland Kahler Advertising; Alan B. Miller, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Health Services, Inc.; James M. Seneff Jr., Founder and CEO, CNL Financial Group, Inc; and Condoleezza Rice, Former Secretary of State, US Department of State, and Provost, Stanford University.

In addition, the 2010 Norman Vincent Peale Award will be presented to Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas.

The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program is one of the largest need-based scholarship programs in the country and the association annually awards nearly $7 million in college scholarships in the United States. In addition to the $20,000 scholarship fund, each scholar is given access to tools specifically designed to help him or her prepare for college, perform better while in college, graduate at a higher rate, develop career skills, and build a lifetime relationship with the Horatio Alger Association.

To view the complete list of Horatio Alger scholars and members, visit our Web site at https://www.horatioalger.org.   

About the Horatio Alger Association:
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans continues to fulfill its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. The Horatio Alger Association offers three annual scholarship programs: the National Scholarship Program, state scholarship programs, and graduate grants. Since 1984, the association has awarded over $70 million in college scholarships to deserving young people. The association has been a Combined Federal Campaign participant; # 77062. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

# # #