Business

West Virginia University at Parkersburg scholarship set up in honor of Nancy Rauch Harris

PARKERSBURG -- At WVU Parkersburg, the spirit of Nancy Rauch Harris lives on through a newly established scholarship fund dedicated to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion on campus.

The first scholarship of this kind for the WVUP Foundation, the Nancy Rauch Harris Memorial Scholarship serves as a tribute to Harris, a beloved figure renowned for her dedication to students and roles as Career Services executive director and chair of the DEI Committee. Throughout her tenure, Harris' impact reverberated across WVUP, where she championed initiatives to amplify the voices of marginalized groups and worked to create equitable opportunities for all.

"Nancy loved her job," WVUP President Torie Jackson said. "She always said helping students was the best job in the world. It was her goal to help them see possibilities instead of complications, to imagine new life opportunities instead of seeing societal stereotypes. Mostly, she took time for students and helped them find the beginning of their paths to success."

The scholarship, spearheaded by Harris' wife and WVUP's Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration Alice Harris, seeks to ensure that Nancy's legacy endures through tangible support for students committed to advancing DEI causes.

"Nancy was a force of nature and a champion of underdogs, marginalized and disregarded people," Jackson said. "Her motto -- 'Be the reason someone feels welcomed, seen, heard, valued and loved' -- is how she lived her life.

"Since Nancy's passing, so many people have shared with me their stories of the unsung actions inspired by her beautiful heart. Most of these stories I was unaware of because Nancy did not seek personal glory. Her satisfaction came from knowing that she had made someone's life a little easier. We would all do well to try to emulate her actions. She made me and those around her see the pain of others and do what they could to help. She inspired us to be better people."

Jackson said she hopes the scholarship will encourage students to live the college's mission like Harris did.

"Our college mission tasks us with providing life changing educational opportunities in a safe and supportive environment," she said. "We live that mission at WVUP, just as Nancy did in her life. Every student that is helped will know of Nancy's story and her ability to overcome to find love, happiness and joy in her life and her occupation."

Harris' influence extended far beyond administrative roles, touching lives with her compassion and generosity.

"She inspired me in so many ways, and that kind of passion should not die when a person leaves the earth," Alice Harris said. "This memorial scholarship will ensure that current and future leaders of the college are reminded of her work and is a way for her to continue to teach others the value of helping those who just need a little break to change their life in a positive direction."

Nancy Harris made an effort to make everyone feel welcomed and special in her presence whether through visits throughout the campus or special gifts and notes.

"Nancy gave me a compass with the latitude and longitude of WVUP. She had my name engraved in it and told me to use it whenever I traveled so I would always find my way back home," Jackson said.

For Alice Harris, the establishment of the Nancy Rauch Harris Memorial Scholarship signifies more than financial aid; it represents a lasting tribute to Nancy's selfless spirit.

"A life lived with love and kindness to those who need it most should never be forgotten, "Alice Harris said. "This scholarship will help ensure that Nancy's light will shine forever.

"When I first met Nancy, she was struggling to make ends meet financially and to finish raising her youngest son. She lived paycheck to paycheck and often ate peanut butter sandwiches so she could make ends meet. One day I was with her in Grantsville where she was living at the time, and a lady and her teenage son came up to her and threw their arms around her neck to thank her for her gift of a new pair of sneakers for the boy. ... But, knowing her financial situation, I later asked her how she could afford to buy this young boy the shoes and I will never forget her answer. She said 'I saw the boy in the local store and I overheard him tell his mom how his shoes had holes in them and how much they hurt his feet because they were too small and that the children in his class were making fun of him. His need was greater than mine so I used most of my grocery money to buy him a modest pair of sneakers. Eating peanut butter sandwiches for a few weeks was a small price to pay to make that child's life better and keep him from being bullied because his family was too poor to buy him shoes.' That is just one of many examples of her compassion and willingness to give her last dollar to help another. She lived and modeled her motto"

Those interested in making a donation in honor of Nancy Harris can contribute by visiting https://wvu-at-parkersburg-foundation.square.site/ or by mailing a check to the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Foundation at 300 Campus Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26104.