The support we receive from caring family members greatly helps each of us as we seek to complete a challenging task. Rowland P. Vernon, Jr. and Nancy Vernon assisted their three children as they earned their degrees at The University of Tulsa, and their children have never forgotten this loving support.
Their son, Howard W. Vernon, Sr. (BSBA ’07, Management) and his wife Emily R. (Bailey) Vernon (BS ’07, Exercise and Sports Science) have many fond memories of their time at TU. Howard remembers the impact of his involvement in the Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge Program, and the enduring friendships he made with other students. Emily continues to appreciate the camaraderie and first-rate coaching she experienced as a member of the Golden Hurricane Women’s Rowing Team (Letter Winner), and the excellent education she received in her exercise and sports science studies.
Howard’s siblings Ann E. Vernon Grey (BS ’98, Biological Science) and Rowland P. Vernon III (BA ’93, English) and sister-in-law, Randa R. (Underwood) Vernon (BSBA ’93, Accounting) also attended The University of Tulsa, and they have their own wonderful memories of their TU experiences. Ann received a Goldwater Scholarship and, in 1998, became the first Oklahoma student to win the prestigious Marshall Scholarship in 27 years.
In 2011, Howard and Emily Vernon, Rowland and Randa Vernon, and Ann Vernon Grey and her husband, Campbell A. Grey, wanted to pay tribute to the Vernons’ parents, establishing the Vernon Family Scholarship Endowment Fund for the Collins College of Business through a life insurance gift. This generous tribute is a source of future funding for the students who will come after the high-achieving Vernon family.
Emily and Howard Vernon also chose to honor former TU Rowing Coach Kevin Harris and his wife, Jennifer, by establishing the Jennifer and Kevin Harris Scholarship Endowment Fund in 2011 through another thoughtful life insurance gift.
As Emily was conducting her college search, then-Coach Harris offered her a rowing team scholarship, solidifying her choice to enroll at TU. Coach Harris continued to mentor and encourage Emily as she pursued her academic and athletic endeavors at the university. She now enjoys a successful career as an occupational therapist due in part to the excellent education she received at TU and the inspiration she drew from her close relationship with Kevin and Jennifer Harris.
