The Neel Harrington Memorial Scholarship was established by the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System in 1982 for the benefit of the College of Natural Sciences. Gift funds were provided by Mrs. Carole Neely Harrington (B.S. ‘60, Elementary Education) and Dr. James W. Harrington, Jr. (B.S. ‘60, Pharmacy). The endowment honors Mr. Neel Harrington, (‘82, Chemistry).

“Neel was kind, compassionate, a standout musician, and a brilliant student,” says Susan Blakey, a family friend. “He was intelligent, loyal, respectful, dedicated, hard-working, and funny. He truly had an innocent soul.”

Harrington had been accepted to The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and was looking forward to graduation when he died unexpectedly during his senior year. He was posthumously awarded a bachelor of arts degree with honors.

“It is important to me to honor Neel’s dream of becoming a positive force in the health care industry in Texas by facilitating the education of the best and brightest minds in our great state,” says Susan, who joined other family and friends in investing in the endowment.

Harrington’s parents, Carole and James, loved and respected the son they supported through many different endeavors. At the moment of his passing, they were encouraging him on his journey to become a surgeon. According to Susan, Neel had been ecstatic at the prospect of attending medical school and spoke of feeling blessed to have a family who could provide for his education. His parents decided to create the endowment to both honor their son and participate in the development of other deserving pre-med students.

“It would thrill him to know other passionate students would be able to realize their own dreams of becoming doctors as the result of the generosity displayed in his name,” Susan says.

Funds distributed from the endowment will be used to support outstanding students in the College of Natural Sciences who plan to attend medical school.