Norval Morey Leadership Scholarship Fund
People who knew Norval “Nub” Morey describe him as a true visionary, an entrepreneurial genius, a philanthropic benefactor and an overall amazing person. Of noble character and innovative spirit, Norval succeeded professionally, but he also impacted and inspired those around him.
Born to a rural mid-Michigan family during the Great Depression, Norval understood the value of work and hard-earned money early in life. He began working at age 14, cutting cedar posts and poles with his friends in Glennie, Mich. As he got older, Norval was drawn to the foresting industry. He traveled coast to coast working various jobs in the forestry industry until he was drafted into the Army and served with the 88th Infantry in Italy in 1941.
After the war, Norval returned home to Winn, Mich., where he and his brother, Burnell, turned to the industry they knew best and started The Morey Brothers Sawmill. In 1957, after he invented, constructed and sold his first machine, called “The Wood Debarker,” Norval used his talents to build a successful equipment manufacturing company known today as Morbark, Inc. In addition to managing his successful business, Norval was known for his philanthropic contributions to Isabella County.
The Morey Foundation, founded in 1990, was created to support and enhance the education, cultural, social and economic life in Isabella County. The foundation focuses primarily on projects that encourage education, promote health and fitness, benefit youth and enrich the lives of the elderly. Although he had completed school just through the sixth grade, Norval understood the value of education. Beginning in the fall of 1997, through the Morey Foundation, Norval established the Morey Charter School. The school provides education for grades PK-8 to promote the value of education throughout Isabella County.
Norval died in October 1997, but his philanthropic spirit continues. In 2005, his son, Lon Morey, founded the Norval K. Morey Cancer Center at Central Michigan Community Hospital (now McLaren Central Michigan.) It is the first cancer care center in Isabella County to provide both chemotherapy and radiation therapy to patients.
The Norval Morey Leadership Scholarship Fund was created to remember and honor a man who inspired so many people during his lifetime. A leader and an innovator, Norval never allowed anything to slow him down and he did everything from his heart, whether it made headlines or not. This scholarship is for graduating seniors from Isabella County high schools who display the same leadership characteristics Norval exhibited during his lifetime.
Norval Morey Leadership Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
Student shall be a graduating senior from an Isabella County high school;
Student shall have participated in activities both in and outside of school;
Student shall have maintained a 2.0 - 3.5 grade point average; and
Student shall be planning to enroll at an accredited college, university, or trade school within the State of Michigan.
Preferences:
In selecting the most qualified applicant to receive the scholarship, reviewers should give preference to the following, listed in priority order:
Student has demonstrated leadership and problem solving skills, as well as a strong work ethic in school and school related activities.
Student has demonstrated leadership and problem solving skills, as well as a strong work ethic outside of school.
Student's desire to pursue education beyond high school, as described in the applicant's written essay.
Student has demonstrated financial need, as expressed in the applicant's written essay.