Ring Scholarship Recipient Makes Her Late Father’s Dream a Reality

For Nia Richardson (’24), the class ring represents more than just her hard work as a student. It represents the fulfillment of a meaningful dream she shared with her late father. They often discussed how they would celebrate her graduation from the University of Houston, down to the frame her degree would go in.

Richardson’s father, the executive information security officer at the Houston Police Department, passed away in July 2024 while on duty during Hurricane Beryl. He left behind the dream of watching her walk across the stage at the Fertitta Center.

Before graduating in December with degrees in media production and entrepreneurship, Richardson applied for the UH Class Ring Scholarship. She explains what inspired her: “I wanted to make sure that dream was still alive — for him and for me as well. ...”

“... When I got the phone call [that I’d won the scholarship], it made everything feel like it was real. Something that I never thought would happen did happen to me.”

Receiving the scholarship now allows Richardson to fulfill this dream in a way that honors her father’s legacy.

“I just never in my life felt like I’ve accomplished something like I did when I got that phone call for the Ring Scholarship. It felt like a different type of gratitude and satisfaction,” says Richardson.

She recognizes how the class ring serves as a meaningful symbol for the UH community as a whole. “When you see the class ring on someone’s hand, you know that they’ve put in the hard work for college. It isn’t just a piece of jewelry. It’s tradition. I see so many alumni wear the ring. It’s very special given that other alumni and I are parts of graduating classes within the first 100 years of the University of Houston.”

Richardson is impressed by everything the University has accomplished during her time at school, seeing the class ring as a symbol of her part in making history with her fellow UH Cougars.

Richardson is also proud of the small part she played in making history as a creative video intern with Athletics when UH joined the Big 12.

“College athletics can feel impersonal, like it’s a business. I have always wanted to make sure people see athletes as humans. It’s nice to see the reactions and engagement from my videos. It makes it all feel worth it,” reflects Richardson.

When asked what she would include in a video montage of her UH experience, Richardson highlights the fun events she attended over the years: Frontier Fiesta, Cage Rage and The Cats’ Back. Then, she takes a moment to acknowledge the more difficult moments of her college career.

“Something I’ve been thinking about a lot as I approach graduation are the times I didn’t feel worthy, the times I didn’t feel like I was going to make it into college or didn’t feel like I was going to make it across the stage in college. I would definitely mark those times as an important part of my experience because they mean so much once I get across the stage. The world didn’t end. You are still here. Everyone is so glad you’re here.”

Richardson is excited to wear her ring with pride at the Ring Ceremony Dec. 8 and every day after. It will serve as a daily reminder of her resilience, her achievements and her father’s unwavering support.