The class of 1984 is sponsoring a scholarship fund created in the spirit of Major McNeil, one of Cincinnati’s most innovative educators, business and community leaders, the mission of the Major McNeil Scholarship is to promote professional development for High School students who seek to carry on his legacy, which is driven by the philosophy of passion, service and impact.
You may give to the Major McNeil Scholarship Fund by Donating Online and please check the box indicating a Donation to the Major McNeil Scholarship Fund. Donate Online
If you wish to apply for a Major McNeil Scholarship, you may print out an Application Form. Print Application Form
Major McNeil – PASSION, SERVICE AND IMPACT
The Major McNeil Scholarship Fund is designed to honor and continue the legacy of a man whose life was framed by the philosophy of passion, education, and impact.
Major “Mac” McNeil has years of progressive experience in Educational Leadership, Business Management, Team Building, Executive Coaching and Diversity/Inclusion Training in both the public and private sectors. It was at an early age in the small town of Zanesville, Ohio where he started to define himself as a prospective leader within the community. Major took every opportunity to excel in organizations which provided youth leadership experiences.
In August 1964, Major accepted his first teaching position at Madisonville Elementary School in the Cincinnati Public School district. By 1967, he earned his Master’s in Education from Xavier University and in 1968, became one of the youngest Assistant Principals in the district at Merry Junior High School. Later, he was named Assistant Principal of Taft High School and Hughes High School. In 1973, Major was selected as Principal of Sawyer Junior High School where he remained until1979. By 1980, Major’s skill set made him uniquely qualified to be selected as the first African American Principal of Withrow High School, which was one of the largest high schools in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. He has always considered his tenure at Withrow High School as “THE CROWN JEWEL” of his career.
The nearly 2000 member student body representing nine communities and seven countries presented an array of challenges yet, even more rewards. Major’s meteoric rise landed him a position as the district’s Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in 1985. Throughout his educational leadership career, Major was noted for his creative and innovative approach to education. He introduced the first automated dialing system to report student attendance to parents, created one of the first school/business partnerships designed to use designated product overrun to provide real time hands-on Art experiences for students. He introduced the first official Saturday School Experience for Student Social Adjustment, and the first International Baccalaureate Program. With the support of the Salvation Army, he sent carpenters and Masonry students to the Dominican Republic to help restore homes ravaged by Hurricane David.
Upon his retirement from CPS in1993, Major spent the next ten years as VP of Pope and Associates, an internationally recognized Diversity/Inclusion company. In 2003, he founded the McNeil Insight Management Group, a business consulting firm specializing in Diversity/Inclusion and Executive Coaching.
