Two Beales Scholars from Southside Virginia Join Class of ’30

The Wren Yard, photo by Skip Rowland '83

Among the impressive, bright-eyed students welcomed to the William & Mary Class of 2030 are two students who have been awarded the selective Harriett Pittard Beales Scholarship and Walter R. Beales III Scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year.

These merit-based scholarships provide tuition assistance to first-year students from Southside Virginia and honor Harriett Pittard Beales '34 and her son, Walter R. Beales III '66, for their lifetime of service. Recipients of the scholarships are chosen based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, outstanding character and other personal achievements.

This year's recipients are Julia King and Nathan Davis. As they begin classes at the Alma Mater of the Nation, they do so with the support of a scholarship that not only eases their financial burden but also connects them to a legacy of mentoring and giving back that will continue long after graduation.

Julie King, recipient of the Harriett Pittard Beales Scholarship

A graduating senior from Kenston Forest School in Blackstone, Julia King has demonstrated strong academic commitment and meaningful engagement beyond the classroom. King has served as president of the Kenston Forest National Honor Society and is also deeply interested in environmental stewardship, serving as a student ambassador with SAVE: Keep Virginia Beautiful.

It was on a high school field trip to W&M's Virginia Institute of Marine Science that King solidified her interest in William & Mary as her top college of choice. King said that the environmental programs at other universities paled in comparison to the state-of-the-art marine science program at the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS. Beyond the research possibilities at William & Mary, King sees her time at W&M as a chance to expand her horizons through classes, clubs and experiences with the college's impressive and diverse student body.

King credits her family with modeling a deep commitment to academic excellence. Her mother is a professor at Longwood University, and her father is an assistant principal in Cumberland County. The academically rich history of her family underpins her desire to become an aquatic researcher.

"Receiving this scholarship means so much to me," says King. "It is the manifestation of all the hard work I put in during my time in high school. I am honored to have received it, and thankful for the kindness of the Beales family."

Nathan Davis, recipient of the Walter R. Beales III Scholarship

Nathan Davis from Farmville is a graduating senior at Fuqua School who has demonstrated strong academic achievement and sustained engagement within the school community. Over the past four years, he has taken on leadership roles in his class while also participating in multiple athletic teams and the band. Davis plans to go into public policy and dreams of becoming a Supreme Court justice.

Davis's decision to attend William & Mary came down to the size of the university and campus. With its more personal scale and small-town feel, Davis said that William & Mary was the perfect size for him to connect with fellow students and professors while still truly expanding his horizons.

Davis's grandfather was a member of the W&M Class of '67 and became a Colonial Heights dentist. Davis's father went to Richard Bland College and is the town manager of Farmville. Davis will carry forward this legacy of higher education at William & Mary because of the Walter R. Beales III Scholarship, which helps defray the economic impact of paying for college.

"Receiving this scholarship shows that-with my parents' support-my hard work and dedication have paid off," says Davis. "I'm grateful to have earned this impressive achievement."

The Beales Scholarships

The Beales family has established two scholarships at William & Mary. The first honors the late Harriett Pittard Beales '34 of Boydton, Virginia, who was involved in service to her community in Mecklenburg County throughout her long life. Over her 100 years of life, she constantly gave back to others, including, for example, by mentoring young people, by serving as the organist of her church for more than six decades, through her activities in historic preservation, and as a high school teacher after her graduation from W&M. During her time at William & Mary, she chaired the Women's Honor Council, served as vice president of the Women's Student Government, and was also crowned May Queen as a senior.

Established in 1984 by her sons, Walter Beales '66 and Randolph Beales '82, on the 50th anniversary of her graduation, the Harriett Pittard Beales '34 Scholarship perpetuates Mrs. Beales's love of William & Mary and continues her legacy of mentoring young people. Since its establishment, the scholarship has already helped over two dozen entering first-year students from Southside Virginia afford the benefits of a William & Mary education.

The Walter R. Beales III '66 Scholarship was created in 2016 in Mr. Beales's honor by his brother, Judge Randolph A. Beales '82, a judge on the Court of Appeals of Virginia who is also the former Attorney General of Virginia. Walter Beales, an attorney who has practiced law in Southside Virginia for over 30 years, is also deeply involved in his community of Boydton and Mecklenburg County. He frequently keeps in contact with scholarship recipients over the years as a mentor and friend-well after their graduation from William & Mary.

Students from 12 counties in Southside Virginia (and the City of Emporia) who are admitted to William & Mary are automatically considered for both merit-based Beales Scholarships. Applications to the university are now open for the Class of 2031.

Frazier Johnson, Communications Specialist

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