In partnership with The Columbia Foundation, the family of Mark Hollingsworth has established a scholarship fund for the purpose of recognizing a graduating student at Marriotts Ridge High School. The $1,000 scholarship will be available annually beginning in spring 2011 to students who demonstrate Mark’s care and concern for others. Details on applying for the scholarship will be available on The Columbia Foundation’s website by mid-December.
Survived by his wife of 21 years, Michelle; his daughter Taylor, 16; and son Jake, 13; the Hollingsworth family knew they wanted to do something permanent to honor Mark’s memory. “Mark was always giving of himself to others,” shares his wife Michelle, “Everyone that knew him felt like his friend.”
Mark Hollingsworth died at age 48 of lung cancer in July 2010. He was co-founder and CFO of Ruxton Healthcare, a Columbia, Maryland-based, long-term care services provider, and an experienced traveler and triathlete. Mark’s family established the Mark Hollingsworth Scholarship Fund to recognize students that embody Mark’s spirit. “We want to award the scholarship to a student with Mark’s positive attitude and approach towards life,” states his mother Eileen. The Hollingsworth’s family and friends plan to continue to donate to the fund and hope to see it grow over time. To kick off the fundraising efforts, Catherine Frediani, a Howard High student and close, family-friend, is dedicating her sixteenth birthday party to Mark’s memory and accepting scholarship fund donations in lieu of gifts.
“A scholarship fund with The Columbia Foundation seems like the perfect way to honor Mark’s memory and generous spirit,” states Michelle Hollingsworth, “We look forward to awarding this scholarship to students at Marriotts Ridge, the High School Taylor and Jake will graduate from, for many years to come.”