By Robert W. Dalton

Hope Moreno ’25 didn’t think she’d have the opportunity to study abroad. She wasn’t certain she would even end up at Wofford.

Then she got the news that changed her trajectory. Moreno was the recipient of the 2021 Richardson Family Scholarship.

“I am so blessed, because without this scholarship I wouldn’t be able to be at such an amazing college,” says Moreno. “This has given financial peace to my family.”

Moreno joins Andrew White ’22, a physics major from Clover, South Carolina; Jackson Barton ’23, a Chinese and environmental studies double major from Lexington, North Carolina; and Alec Schrader ’24, a biology and finance double major from Fredonia, New York, as current Richardson Scholars.

The Richardson Family Scholarship was first awarded in 1988. In addition to full tuition, fees, room and board for four years, the scholarship includes a monthly stipend for books and other expenses, a January travel experience and summer internships, with one presenting the opportunity for travel abroad.

Moreno is a graduate of Spartanburg Day School. She played soccer for the Griffins until a knee injury ended her career. She says the Day School was a close-knit community, much like she has found at Wofford.

“Community is important to me,” she says. “I enjoy meeting new people and building strong relationships. It’s awesome to be in a place where everyone is here because they want to be here and we’re all working toward the same goal.”

Moreno says it means a lot to her to be from Spartanburg and to be selected for the Richardson Family Scholarship.

“When you have a place like Wofford locally you can take it for granted,” she says. “I value it a lot more.”

Moreno is an undeclared major, but she’s leaning toward biology. She wants to attend medical school after graduating from Wofford.

“I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” Moreno says. “Without this scholarship a lot of things were uncertain. Now the possibilities are endless.”