The C. Vincent Prothro Plaza and Gardens connects three structures on UT Southwestern's North Campus--the Simmons, Hamon and Seay biomedical buildings. Prothro's efforts were paramount to securing the land for this recently developed portion of the medical center's campus. The acreage, which was donated by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, was acquired largely thanks to Prothro's "persuasion and leadership," said Dr. Kern Wildenthal, president of UT Southwestern.

The plaza will overlook the O'Donnell Grove on the northeast corner of Inwood Road and Harry Hines Boulevard, with views of the Eugene McDermott Academic Administration Building on the medical center's South Campus. Prothro served on the boards of both the O'Donnell Foundation and the Eugene McDermott Foundation, which for decades have been staunch supporters of UT Southwestern.