Nora Van Horn, a spring 2022 Scholar alumna, has been awarded the inaugural Neil C. Patel Memorial Changemaker Honors Scholarship.
The Changemaker Scholarship was established in December 2021 in honor of its namesake, Neil Patel, who died from COVID-19 earlier that year. It honors Patel’s memory and recognizes Scholars who exemplify his commitment to family, community, education, and opportunity.
“Neil embodied the ideals envisioned for Schreyer Honors College community members,” said Patrick T. Mather, dean of Schreyer Honors College. “He did this through his interdiscipli- nary nature, community approach to learning, and genuine caring for his classmates. Because of that, and to encourage others to strive for those ideals, the legacy scholarship bearing Neil’s name is so very important to our college.”
Van Horn earned degrees in philosophy, Chinese, and global and international studies. She also poured time, effort, and energy into change- making endeavors that impacted the entire Penn State community. Van Horn created a de- partment of sustainability within the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), and she helped to launch Penn State’s Environmental Sustainability Fund. Additionally, she took on an array of advocacy work to help change how Penn State addresses sexual violence.
On becoming the first recipient of the Change- maker Scholarship, Van Horn said she is honored to carry Neil Patel’s name and legacy with her.
“I had the opportunity to go to a celebration of life for Neil and talk with his family and friends to learn more about [Neil] and his life,” she said. “I was so moved by the stories they shared about his positivity and desire to make the world a better place.”
Chet Patel, Neil’s father, said that the family is proud that Van Horn was chosen as the inaugural recipient because she personifies so many of the values that mattered to his son.
“Nora’s interests in morality, philosophy, and her work in sustainability at Penn State are evidence of commitment to bettering the lives of others, which was most important to our son, Neil,” Patel said. “We will be cheering her on as she makes an impact on the world for years to come.”
Mather agrees that the change Van Horn effected while at Penn State will go a long way to helping Neil Patel’s memory live on.
“Nora has unending energy, combined with a big heart. That’s a powerful combination that, when applied to change-leadership, is potent and worthy of the distinction bestowed by the inaugural Patel scholarship,” Mather said.
With her time at Penn State concluded, Van Horn will move on to Harvard Law for fall 2022, where the Changemaker Scholarship funding will assist her in her academic pursuits.
