Mechanical engineering scholarship honors alumnus
Harold “Sully” Sullivan served in World War II; enjoyed successful engineering career
Harold Richard “Sully” Sullivan, CEAS ’48, did not like to sit still. Hiking and gardening were among his favorite pursuits. At 90, he visited the Grand Canyon National Park for the first time, completing a six-mile hike. Into his 92nd year, he took daily hikes near his Scottsdale, Arizona home.
Harold Richard “Sully” Sullivan, CEAS ’48 and his wife, Betty Sullivan.
Sullivan was always energetic and grew up with a love of fixing things. He liked spending time in his dad’s machine shop in Dayton, Ohio. Perhaps it was no surprise that he enrolled in mechanical engineering at the University of Cincinnati. He was the eldest of four and the first in his family to attend college.
“I think engineering was natural for him,” says his daughter, Barbara Pringle. “He was really good at math, liked the precision of engineering, problem-solving and the advancements that could be made in different technologies.”
She remembers him as a wonderful father, husband and friend who shared his love of the outdoors and hiking with her. Sullivan died in 2013 at the age of 92.
Remembering her father through a scholarship
Harold Sullivan with his parents on UC's campus. The photo was taken around 1947 or 1948.
An estate gift from Pringle and her husband, Thomas Pringle, honors Sullivan with the creation of the Harold Richard Sullivan Endowed Scholarship Fund. The scholarship supports mechanical engineering students at the UC College of Engineering and Applied Science with a preference to students who are current or former service members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
“I know my dad always appreciated the education he got at UC,” Pringle says. “It gave him a lot of confidence and a great start to his career.”
“He worked really hard and was a saver,” she added. “I wanted to do something with some of the money he left us.”
Education interrupted by a World War
Sullivan enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943, interrupting his education to serve in World War II. After officer training school, his company crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a ship, often hearing explosions from fighting.
Once the company arrived in France, Sullivan’s skills were used repairing equipment, trucks and tanks. This continued as they made their way to Belgium and Germany.
After the war ended, Sullivan returned to Cincinnati, finished his degree and worked as an engineer at Frigidaire. It is there that he met his wife, Betty. They were married for 62 years until she died in 2012. The Sullivans raised two daughters — Pringle and her sister, Susan M. Sullivan, JD, Law ’77.
“His engineering background formed the basis for his approach to life,” said Susan Sullivan. “He was meticulous, precise, organized in all things and always remained a strong supporter of UC.”
Sullivan’s successful career as an engineer took him to the National Gypsum Company and positions in Ohio, New York, Arkansas and California.
Supporting future mechanical engineers
Students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science gain knowledge to design, manufacture and operate machines and mechanical systems that work safely and efficiently to advance today’s society. Students learn to use the principles of force, energy and motion to design, manufacture and operate machines and mechanical systems that work in a safe, efficient, economical and predictable fashion.
They can customize their experience with more than 600 organizations and build impressive resumes and a professional network through UC’s nationally recognized co-op program.
The generosity of donors like the Pringles gives students access to higher education and successful careers.
“I am thankful to the Pringles for honoring Harold “Sully” Sullivan’s many accomplishments and love for UC by helping future engineers,” said John Weidner, PhD, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. “Scholarships make college a reality for thousands of students, allowing them to become the problem-solvers our world needs.”
“My parents always emphasized education in our home,” says Pringle. “It makes Tom and me feel good that we are honoring my dad and supporting students.”
Featured image at top: Barbara and Tom Pringle, left, with son Bryan, his wife Sara and granddaughters Caroline, Amelia and Mae. Photo/Provided.
This is how breakthroughs happen
Your generosity has illuminated what’s next: Student success beyond the classroom. Bearcats winning on the Big 12 stage. The gift of discovery for the health of our community. When you give to the University of Cincinnati and UC Health, you invest in the problem-solvers of tomorrow.
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