Endowment funds scholarship at Parrott

Former Parrott student Grant Means with this year’s Transition students who will benefit from the scholarship he has endowed. (left to right) Back row:  Alex Zheng, Knox Koonce, Grant Means, Annie Reynolds, and Mollie Mintz. Front row: Dawson Maroules, Jenna Raye Rouse, Bo Purnell, Reaves Poole, Grey Sugg, Vance Samuel, and Amelia Mooring. Submitted photo.

Arendell Parrott Academy hosted a kick-off event on Dec. 4th for a new scholarship. Former Parrott student Grant Means visited the campus to announce the Greg and Wendy Murphy Scholarship for Investing In Your Community. Means has started a non-profit education organization called One Day Endowments to provide scholarship funding for young students and motivate them to develop financial literacy for their future.  

During his December 4th visit to APA’s campus, Means enjoyed visiting elementary classes to read one of his children’s storybooks about financial literacy. Submitted photo.

Means explained to Parrott’s transition students and their families that One Day Endowments has invested $1,000 in an index fund on behalf of these pre-kindergarten students. Based on past market performance, this “seed” is expected to grow to at least $3,000 by the time these students are seniors. This investment will provide two equal scholarships for one male and one female from this year’s Transition class to be awarded at APA’s graduation in 2033. 

“I’m excited to work with these students and their teachers,” Means said. “As part of this initiative, we look forward to bringing a suite of fun activities to Parrott's students each year. Beyond campus events, our goal is to work alongside teachers to develop financial literacy lesson plans that empower these students.”  

Means explained that he named the scholarship in honor of Greg and Wendy Murphy, whose three children graduated from Parrott Academy, to recognize their contributions to the school and to the broader Eastern Carolina community. 

Means attended Parrott from 2003 to 2010. He has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Management Science & Engineering, both from Stanford. With another Parrott graduate, Alexander Doub, he’s written a series of children’s books to promote values of personal economic planning. A highlight of Grant's visit was reading to students from three of his books, The Prodigal Pig, The Preserving Pig, and The Prosperity Pig.