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History of the Vic Issa Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Scholarship Fund was announced at Dr. Morrow's recital on February 28, 1999. University President Dr. Robert E. Witt, who was in attendance that night, committed a $5,000 matching grant to the Scholarship Fund.  On May 1st, 1999, at the annual awards event, Phi Mu Alpha presented Dr. Morrow with a check for $3,000. Along with other pledges and donations, the Scholarship Fund met its goal.

Cellist and UTA student Almuntaser (Vic) Issa died on September 15, 1998 after a three year battle with osteogenic sarcoma. Vic was an uncommon representation of the best that a student and human being can be. He had an insatiable desire for knowledge that touched many areas of his studies, the cello being the central focus of that desire. He practiced the cello constantly and improved rapidly as he faced decreasing odds of overcoming the disease that had already robbed him of his left leg.

Following his freshman year at UTA, and just months before he died, he was the recipient of the following university and departmental awards:

Throughout that final year of his life, in spite of several rounds of intensive experimental chemotherapy, Vic maintained a 4.0 grade point average, and always produced far beyond that which was expected of him. In addition to being an exceptional scholar, Vic was an honest and open young man, full of integrity, and a wisdom and maturity far beyond his 19 years. He had a gift of making individuals feel that their cares and concerns were important to him. He was able to make each encounter, no matter how small, deeply meaningful, and he readily put his own pain and worries aside to make whomever he was with feel special. Vic was deeply loved and he is sorely missed.

Contributions are Welcome - checks may be made payable to UTA's Vic Issa Memorial Scholarship Fund, and sent to: