Nelson Howarth was a respected Springfield attorney and three-term mayor who was instrumental in convincing the Illinois General Assembly to establish the UIS (then Sangamon State University) campus in 1969. He later taught a course in municipal law and administration at SSU. The Mary and Nelson Howarth Memorial Scholarship was originally established by the family and friends in honor of his life and work. In later years, his wife's name was added by the family, who continue to support the scholarship through generous donations. Applicants for the scholarship must be in good academic standing with a major in Public Administration, Public Affairs Reporting (other than broadcast journalism), Environmental Studies, Political Science or History.