he University of Memphis selected City of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Scott Forman as the recipients of the Rudi and Honey Scheidt Community Impact Award in its inaugural class. The award has been created to honor UofM partners who go above and beyond to improve the Memphis community, and to highlight the University’s commitment to such partnerships.

Rudi and Honey Scheidt were leaders in reviving, reshaping and expanding music education at the UofM through their generosity and commitment to enhancing the community. The UofM rechristened its music school the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music after a $3 million donation from the Scheidts in 2000 to revitalize the University’s opera program. The UofM is also in the process of building the 90,000-square-foot Scheidt Family Music Center, doubling the size of the current music school.

“The impact of Rudi and Honey Scheidt’s significant and generous contributions to the community and the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music will be felt for many generations to come,” said UofM President M. David Rudd. “I can think of no better namesake for this award.”

Strickland, a 1986 graduate of the UofM and a 1989 graduate of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, has worked closely with the UofM on numerous initiatives since taking office in 2016. His recent work with the University includes playing a vital role in a partnership that provided more than 1 million meals to Shelby County Schools students in need during the pandemic. The City of Memphis and UofM also created the COMPETE program in 2020, a partnership that allows city employees to earn a degree in a timely, cost-effective manner while being supported by a team dedicated to student success.

Harris spent more than 13 years as a professor in the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law before being elected mayor in 2018. His office was also an essential partner in the initiative that provided more than 1 million meals for Shelby County Schools students. Shelby County has a close relationship with the College of Education that includes the River City Partnership — an innovative program helping local students become the next generation of teachers in the Memphis community.

Forman served as the handler for TOM III, the UofM’s Bengal tiger mascot for nearly 12 years. TOM III passed away Sept. 18. As TOM III’s main caretaker, Forman built a special bond with the beloved tiger that lasted from the early years of his life through his time as mascot during one of the most exciting and successful eras of Memphis football. Forman is a 1998 UofM graduate.

Scheidt Family statement: “Our parents loved the University of Memphis whether it was academics, athletics or the arts. They believed the University was one of the most under-appreciated assets in our community. They supported the University with their time, not just with their giving, as they did with other organizations throughout this community. Even though they didn’t graduate from the University, they were both recipients of honorary doctorates and were True Blue all the time. We’re grateful to Dr. Rudd and honored that the UofM has named this award that reflects their commitment to the UofM and to Memphis in their memory.”