UNCP Trustee Allison Harrington honors father with scholarship

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Harrington
Trustee Allison Harrington with her late father Frank Harrington

Helping others came naturally for Frank Harrington. It was the fabric of who he was.

Whether it was through his church, various local organizations, schools or his business he ran in Rowland for nearly five decades, Harrington served his community with pride. A year after his death, Harrington’s legacy of generosity lives on through the Frank Harrington Scholarship at UNC Pembroke.

UNCP Trustee and alumna Allison Harrington gifted $25,000 to the university to establish the scholarship as a way to honor her father who dedicated his life serving others.

“He was a people person. He loved helping people,” she said. “Even after he retired and moved to the beach, he was known as the person everyone would go to if they needed help.

“My dad was always supportive of me and anything I was involved in. UNCP is an institution that I care about deeply and a place where I’ve invested a lot of my time. Through this scholarship, his legacy will live on and impact the lives of countless students seeking to further their education at UNCP.

“He saw the potential of UNCP when I was a student here. He would be really proud to know how many students will benefit from this scholarship. I look forward to meeting the recipients at the next recognition dinner.”

Recipients must be full-time undergraduate students with a 3.0 GPA and a resident of Robeson or Brunswick counties. The scholarship is open to students of all majors and will be given annually.

“UNCP is fortunate to have board members whose commitment to our university and our region is demonstrated through such generosity,” said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings. “Trustee Harrington’s gift, in honor of her father, reminds us a helping hand can make a difference in someone’s life as it certainly will for the students who receive this scholarship.”

Roger Franklin “Frank” Harrington was a lifelong resident of Robeson and Brunswick counties. He was a staple in his hometown of Rowland, serving as owner and operator of Rowland Oil Company for 48 years. He was a founding member of the Rowland Gun Club, an Army Reserve Veteran, an avid fisherman and dedicated member of Rowland First Baptist Church.

After retirement, he and his wife, Ann, moved to Ocean Isle Beach.

Allison Harrington, owner and president of Speech Solutions, Inc., previously established a UNCP scholarship in her name. She remains heavily involved with her alma mater. She’s a former member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and currently serves on the Board of Trustees. Harrington received the UNCP Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2014.