Leon Harris, BSC '83, HON '99

“When you get into a position like mine, you try to identify the kids who want to be somebody when they grow up, and you do what you can to help them make it happen.”

That’s how Leon Harris, BSC ’83, HON ’99, explains his $50,000 commitment to support a minority scholarship earmarked for kids from his hometown of Akron, Ohio, who are interested in pursuing a degree in the College of Communication.

After a 20-year tenure at CNN in Atlanta, Harris is now the face of ABC affiliate WJLA-TV’s 5, 6 and 11 o’clock newscasts in Washington, D.C., where he has already become involved in several charities. Harris is also husband of fellow Bobcat Dawn Lomax Harris, BSJ ’83 and father of 12-year-old Darren and 10-year-old Lauren.

“If alumni were just able to see the results of what an investment of a little bit of time and money can make, they would do the same,” Harris says. “Lives are being changed.”

Harris hopes his visibility and continued involvement at Ohio University will encourage fellow alumni to find their niche in giving back to the institution.

“Imagine how much better Ohio University could be, how many lives could be better. It would be amazing to see what would be possible if we kicked in a little more. And it’s actually quite painless.