Gerald “Chip” Hardy II was born and raised in Chelmsford. He attended several elementary schools including: Westlands, Center, and Byam, he also attended McFarlin and MeCarthy Middle schools and graduated from Chelmsford High School as a member of the class of 1978.

While in elementary school, Chip developed a passion for the NASA program. He was fascinated with the Apollo project. He built models of the ships and read every publication about the project he could find. This fascination led him to his love of flying. He earned his private pilots’ license before his driver’s license.

Chip attended Embry Riddle University in Daytona Beach, Florida, majoring in aeronautical engineering. After his freshman year, he transferred to Daniel Webster College in Nashua, NH for his sophomore year.

Chip died on June 2, 1980. He loved the sky with unending horizons. He “left the surly bonds of earth and touched the face of God”.

This scholarship was established by his parents and brothers to help a young dreamer achieve his/her lofty goals.