The Scholarship was established by House’s family, friends, former interns, and assistants in the Tidewater region of Virginia following his death in 1982. House graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1951, and this scholarship honors the three things he loved most (after his family)—public administration, UNC, and helping young people.

During his career, House served many local governments. In North Carolina, he worked as the assistant city manager of Durham and county manager of Forsyth County. In Virginia he served as the city manager of six cities, including Norfolk, Suffolk, and Portsmouth.

All students are eligible for this scholarship based on their academic background and areas of interests upon their admittance into the MPA Program. However, emphasis is placed on those students with an interest in local government.