Harvey Najim’s $500,000 gift honors his brother’s legacy through two scholarships
When Harvey Najim ’64 thinks about the opportunities that shaped his life, he comes back to one thing: education.
The Wichita State alumnus recently established two scholarships through a $500,000 gift honoring the memory of his brother, Harry Louis Najim, a longtime Wichita attorney and former Wichita State business law instructor. The gift includes $300,000 for the Harry Najim Business Scholarship and $200,000 for the Harry Najim Legal Education Accelerated Degree (LEAD) Scholarship, creating opportunities for students over the next decade while celebrating a life that left a lasting impact on Wichita.
Harry practiced law in Wichita for more than 50 years, specializing in aviation, business and family law. He also shared his expertise with students as a business law instructor at Wichita State during the 1980s.
Known for his intelligence, sense of humor and devotion to family, Harry left a lasting impression on those who knew him. “Our dad was a dedicated provider who embodied hard work, integrity and intelligence,” said his son, Peter Najim. “He loved his family and cherished spending time with them. He was an animated character who loved to make others laugh.”
For Harvey, Harry was also a trusted advisor whose influence extended beyond the courtroom. “I wanted to find a meaningful way to honor my brother’s life and the impact he had on others,” Harvey said. “Supporting students through education felt like something he would have wanted.”
Harvey’s own connection to Wichita State dates back more than six decades. After attending the University of Wichita and graduating in 1964 with a degree in mathematics, he went on to serve in the U.S. Army before building a remarkable career in technology. In 1980, he founded Sirius Computer Solutions, growing the company into a nationally recognized technology provider with approximately $1.7 billion in annual revenue by the time he retired in 2015.
Throughout his career, however, he never lost sight of the role education played in creating opportunity. “A college education helps set students apart and opens doors that might not otherwise be available to them,” Harvey said. “I’ve seen firsthand how education can change the trajectory of a person’s life.”
That belief has guided decades of philanthropy. Through the Harvey E. Najim Charitable Foundation and his personal giving, Harvey has invested heavily in programs that help students access education and build successful futures. He saw those same possibilities in Wichita State’s scholarship programs.
The Harry Najim Business Scholarship will support business students participating in the Barton School’s AGH competition, helping aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders develop the skills needed for successful careers. The Harry Najim LEAD Scholarship will support students pursuing Wichita State’s innovative accelerated law pathway, helping future legal professionals take the next step toward earning a law degree.
Peter believes the scholarships reflect the values that defined his father’s life and career. “Our dad would be proud of his legacy knowing this scholarship inspires hard work, community involvement and offers opportunities for those to pursue their dreams in the legal field,” he said.
The gift also reflects the value of meaningful relationships. Harvey stayed connected with Wichita State Foundation and Alumni Engagement through conversations spanning more than two decades. As longtime development leader Lynette Murphy prepared for retirement, discussions about ways to honor Harry’s memory gained new momentum, resulting in a gift that will support Wichita State students for years to come.
“Harvey’s generosity to Wichita State demonstrates his personal commitment to bolstering the availability of education for all,” Murphy said. “After more than 20 years of conversations, it was incredibly meaningful to help create a tribute to Harry that reflects their family’s values while creating opportunities for Wichita State students. This gift is a wonderful example of the power of long-term relationships leading to transformational philanthropy for WSU.”
For Harvey, the scholarships are a meaningful way to honor his brother’s life and legacy. For Wichita State students, they create new opportunities to pursue their education and shape their futures, carrying forward a belief both brothers shared: that education has the power to change lives.
