MAYOR DAVID CHESS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Michelle Woods Matthews, mwoods-matthews@townofstratford.com, 475-319-5804
A Fox Family Scholarship Established to Support Stratford
Students Attending UConn
Stratford, CT — Today, Thursday, February 19th, 2026, The Fox Family, in partnership with the Office of Mayor David Chess, announced the establishment of the Fox Family Scholarship, a fully funded scholarship endowment designed to provide long-term, direct support to Stratford students accepted to the University of Connecticut. The scholarship was created to establish a
financial pathway for students who demonstrate financial need, academic merit, community engagement, and exhibit a commitment to a practical career track.
Each year, one Stratford student will be selected to receive the Fox Family Scholarship. The award is structured as a four-year scholarship, providing sustained support throughout the recipient’s undergraduate education at UConn, contingent upon continued academic progress and good standing.
“Stratford has always been home for our family,” said Keith Fox, along with his brothers Curt Fox and Craig Fox. “Sports taught us discipline, teamwork, and accountability — lessons that carried into our careers. This scholarship reflects those values and our belief in supporting students who are willing to work hard, contribute to their community, and prepare themselves for meaningful careers.”
Mayor David Chess welcomed the announcement and emphasized the importance of students’ ability to access higher education through clear pathways.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Fox family,” said Mayor David Chess. “This scholarship will be life-changing for our students. The Fox scholarship makes the impossible - possible. Unlocking education is the key!”
“As a high school principal, I see firsthand how powerful the combination of need, resilience, and community involvement can be in shaping a student’s future,” said Katie Graf, Ed.D., Principal, Bunnell High School. “The Fox Family Scholarship recognizes not only academic effort, but also the character built through leadership, perseverance, and participation in athletics - qualities that prepare students for success well beyond the classroom. This scholarship truly invests in students who have earned both the opportunity and the responsibility to lead and give back.”
“As a former Stratford resident, proud graduate of Bunnell High School, and current Principal of Stratford High School, I am deeply grateful to the Fox family for their extraordinary generosity and unwavering commitment to our students,” said Jack Dellapiano, Principal of Stratford High School. “This scholarship represents far more than financial assistance; it is a meaningful investment in the future of Stratford’s students, and a powerful reminder of the lasting impact education has on individuals and communities. By supporting students from both Stratford and Bunnell High Schools, the Fox family is opening doors of opportunity and affirming that education remains one of the most important pathways to growth, purpose, and success. On behalf of Stratford High School and the entire Stratford community, thank you for believing in our students and in the power of education.”
The Fox Family Scholarship is need-based, requiring recipients to qualify for a Pell Grant, and merit-based, recognizing academic effort, resilience, leadership, and meaningful community involvement. As part of the scholarship’s community-building focus, eligible students must have participated in a sport, reflecting teamwork, discipline, and engagement within their school or broader community.
In addition, recipients must intend to pursue a degree in business, entrepreneurship, or a technical field, aligning the scholarship with pathways that prepare students for leadership, innovation, and long-term economic opportunity.
The scholarship fund has been fully funded as an endowment, with the intent that the Fox Family Scholarship will continue for generations to come, supporting Stratford students well into the future.
The University of Connecticut will manage the scholarship selection process and administer awards in accordance with the Fox Family Scholarship fund's clear, established criteria to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with its objectives.
As part of the program’s launch, the Fox family and the Office of Mayor David Chess will roll out the Fox Family Scholarship immediately across Stratford junior high and high schools, ensuring that students and families are aware of the opportunity early and can plan academically and financially with confidence.
Prior to the public announcement, the Fox family and the Office of Mayor David Chess hosted Zoom briefings with Stratford principals and guidance counselors to review scholarship criteria, answer questions, and ensure consistent communication across schools.
Additional details regarding application timelines, selection criteria, and award administration will be shared through Stratford schools following the counselor briefing.
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