Dr. Nazih Al-Rashid Scholarship

Nazih was born in Al-Qurna, a small town 74 Km northwest of Basra, Iraq. Qurna, (Arabic for connection / joint) is located at the confluence point where Tigris and Euphrates join to form Shatt Al-Arab River.  The ancient village of Al-Qurna singled out a tree ("Adam tree") with a sign that says: "---- this holy tree of our father Adam grew symbolizing the Garden of Eden. Abraham prayed here 2000 years B.C. ---- ". Tradition holds Al-Qurna to have been the site of the Garden of Eden, and the ancient tree is believed by the locals to be the "Tree of Knowledge of the Bible".  Notably, like his birth town, Nazih was also known by all his friends, family and peers to be a beacon of knowledge about history, politics and society, and in particular, about his birth country, Iraq. Like a typical Iraqi, Nazih was very proud of his country of birth and its fascinating ancient history that witnessed the birth of civilization in the city-states of Mesopotamia. His love for history and social sciences, about which he eventually came to study and teach, came to him naturally. He was passionate about sociology and fascinated by the depth, yet simple application, of its theories to society and relationships between individuals. He loved poetry and music and his house was always a gathering place for people of different origins and cultures.

Nazih moved to Logan, Utah in December of 1975 to study for his Ph.D. in sociology at Utah State University (USU). Courageously, particularly in those days, Nazih took this journey to a foreign country to embark on his advanced studies without knowing the language or even a single person in Logan, Utah. Within a short time, he met his wife, Wedad Abdou, a then post doctor fellow in physics. They fell in love and got married within a years' time, and formed a family with their two daughters, Wafaa and Meriam Al-Rashid. In no time at all, Logan became home to Nazih and his family.  His love for life and nature was enhanced by the natural beauty of the state of Utah and the diversity in its terrain and geography.

Upon completing his Ph.D. in 1984, Nazih and his family returned to Baghdad, Iraq where he was appointed assistant professor in the department of sociology at Al-Mustansereyya University. One of his achievements there was establishing a new graduate program in the department of Sociology. But, after two years, due to war and difficult political climate in Iraq, he and his family returned to Logan. Nazih then joined USU's Department of Sociology, Social Work & Anthropology as adjunct assistant professor, and in 1988 was appointed the director of the student support services program at USU. The student support services program helps non-traditional students, often coming from single family homes, first generation college students, and students in financial need.  The program is meant to pave the way for students that may not have the means -- social, familial, financial or otherwise -- toward an education that would set them on a path to success. He taught and served his students with unwavering commitment and purpose.  He was a staunch believer in perseverance, patience and principle guiding all actions in life.  One of his primary principles was simply to be good and do good.  In fact, a phrase often uttered to his family daily at the end of conversations or calls was "be good."  As many of his students, co-workers and friends will attest to, he exercised these qualities in every capacity of his life, leading those around him by example. 

Nazih also had a wonderfully unique relationship with his coworkers, demonstrating loyalty and compassion in his every day encounters.  Nazih would often speak of his colleagues with great admiration, and expressed to his family the special bond he felt he had with them.  And indeed the bond was mutual.

Nazih was loved and respected by everyone who had met him.  His smile brought warmth, kindness and ease to his colleagues and students, especially when they would call upon him for advice or assistance.  He seemed to have a way of putting those before him at ease, while simultaneously empowering them with conviction and self-confidence.

Nazih worked at USU for 27 years in total and in 2015 he retired. He joined his wife Wedad, and daughter, Wafaa, in Southern California to enjoy his retirement. Unfortunately, not long after, he was diagnosed with cancer and passed away on June 8th, 2017 surrounded by his two daughters, wife and dear friends. He led a peaceful life with grace and integrity not many knew how to define, because it was simply: he was just Nazih. 

Education was always top priority to Nazih both in his professional and personal life. To honor his memory, Nazih's family would like to continue his legacy of advancing knowledge, and empowering students to educate themselves and pave better futures for themselves and their families. To continue supporting the students at USU, specially those in financial need, the Al-Rashid family is setting up a scholarship fund to donating a yearly scholarship to a sociology graduate student on behalf of Dr. Nazih Al-Rashid.  The family encourages Nazih’s friends to contribute to his lasting memory by donating to this scholarship.

To best honor Nazih’s legacy and life’s work, scholarship recipients will be graduate students in the department of Sociology with a GPA of 3.6 or higher and have a demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to students from underrepresented populations or first generation college students.