Once helped by a benefactor, Baylor alum dedicates his career to paying that help forward

When Neal Emmons was a teenager, college seemed pretty much out of the question. His parents had divorced when he was 10, and growing up, his mother had worked days, nights and weekends as a transcriptionist for three separate medical practices just to provide the basics for him and his older sister. “She did it on her own — no government support, alimony or child support,” he recalls.

All the while, Emmons’ fellow seniors were making college visits and decisions, including a friend of his who was headed to Baylor. That friend had a wealthy grandfather, who — although he had almost no connection to the Emmons family — forever changed the trajectory of Emmons’ life by offering to pay for he and his sister to go to Baylor.

After graduating from Baylor, Emmons, BBA ’89, landed a steady job in finance, got married, had kids, and eventually moved to Charlotte, N.C. But when the city’s economy took a downturn, he decided it was time to try something he’d always considered: starting a scholarship fund for promising students from single-parent families. Nearly seven years later, Emmons is executive director of Project One Scholarship Fund.

“I grew up witnessing the financial struggles and sacrifices that are necessary for a single-mom to raise a family. I was also blessed by someone caring enough to make a difference in my life,” wrote Emmons on Project One’s website. “However, many kids are not as fortunate. Because of my experiences, I have had a long-term personal goal to send a student to college whom otherwise would not be able to attend.”

At the end of this semester, Emmons’ efforts will come to fruition when Chrissie Mooney, one of Project One’s first two scholarship recipients, becomes the first to graduate from college. The second is expected to graduate this December, and 11 more are in college now, with applications opening to the Class of 2016 later this month.

“I left a long career in investments to pursue my dream of helping change the lives of other children from single-parent families,” says Emmons. “My hope is that Project One will create a cycle of change and giving that will better the lives of many for years to come.”

Sic ’em, Neal!