History

Henry J. Knott, Sr., was a Baltimore-born, Roman Catholic businessman and philanthropist who was a firm believer in the value of Catholic education. In 1981 he set in place a program that would encourage academically talented Catholic students to attend Catholic schools located in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford and Howard counties in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Working with Catholic educators, he developed the Marion Burk Knott Scholarship Fund, named in honor of his wife. Its purpose was, and still is, to award full tuition scholarships to Catholic parish elementary schools and Catholic high schools located in the areas mentioned above, and to the three Catholic colleges in Maryland, College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Loyola University Maryland, and Mount Saint Mary's University. As a past academic record is part of the basis for awarding these scholarships, the decision was made to permit students to be considered for the scholarships at three points in their schooling, grade 4, grade 8, and grade 12.

In 1997, through another gift of Mr. and Mrs. Knott, additional funds for secondary scholarships and partial college scholarships became available through the Marion I. and Henry J. Knott Scholarship Fund. Both of these Funds now function under the name of the Knott Scholarship Funds.

Through June 2008, 161 students have completed their college education under the auspices of the Marion Burk Knott Scholarship Fund and 147 students have graduated as Marion I. and Henry J. Knott College Scholars. On the secondary level, 201 students have graduated as Marion Burk Knott Scholars and 90 as Marion I. and Henry J. Knott Scholars. On the elementary level, 449 students have completed the last four years of grade school as Marion Burk Knott Scholars.

In the 2008-2009 school year, there are 32 Marion Burk Knott Scholars in elementary school, 16 in high school and 12 in college. The Marion I. and Henry J. Knott Scholarship Fund will have 60 scholars in secondary school and 40 college scholars.

It was Mr. and Mrs. Knott's hope that receiving a strong Catholic education would help these scholars develop as the future leaders of the Archdiocese. They also hoped that the students who have received this gift of a Catholic education would in turn give back to the Church and the community by sharing their talents in whatever forms possible.