Computer Science Scholarships

The Department of Computer Science offers many scholarships each year to help our talented students to excel.

This page describes in detail the scholarships available.  

• Choose Ohio First Scholarship in Bioinformatics
• Department of Computer Science Alumni Scholarship
• The Marjorie J. Karlson Memorial Scholarship
• The Summit Data Communications Internship in Computer Science
• The Ricardo Francisco Garzia Endowed Scholarship
• The Alberta M. and William C. King (‘42) Scholarship Fund 
• The Walter E. Maxey Memorial Scholarship Fund

Choose Ohio First Scholarship in Bioinformatics

UA has been awarded funding by the Choose Ohio First Program to provide about 12 undergraduate and/or graduate scholarships in bioinformatics. The scholarships are merit-based and to be awarded to academically talented students with an emphasis on academic excellence, leadership, and preparation for a future career in science and technology.  Students who wish to apply may major in a range of academic disciplines that utilize computer science to manage biological data. The scholarship with a maximum size of $4700 per year is renewable each year and available from academic year 2008/09 through 2012/13. Details.

Department of Computer Science Alumni Scholarship

The Department of Computer Science Alumni Scholarship was established in February 2003.  The scholarship is funded by contributions from departmental alumni, faculty, and friends.

The Department of Computer Science Alumni Scholarship may be awarded to departmental majors and incoming freshmen who have declared a major in computer science.  The primary consideration for an award is academic performance.  Awards will be determined each year by the Department of Computer Science Scholarship Committee.  The amount of an award is dependent on the funds available and the number of students chosen to receive a Department of Computer Science Alumni Scholarship.

The Marjorie J. Karlson Memorial Scholarship

The Marjorie J. Karlson Memorial Scholarship was established by her family in her memory.  Mrs. Karlson had a B.S. in Physics from Thiel College.  In the early 1950’s, she did programming on IBM computers in machine code.  She also did substitute teaching in the Orrville School System, and taught in the Head Start program for eight years. After raising five children, she returned to school and completed additional course work in Computer Sciences and Mathematics at The University of Akron.  On completion of her additional studies, Mrs. Karlson began working for The University of Akron.  She had various responsibilities in the Math and Computer Science Department for over 15 years, including Computer Science Lab Manager and Instructor of Database Management.  Mrs. Karlson had an outstanding commitment to the students.  She frequently talked of work with family and friends.  Her particular concern was that the students receive every benefit and opportunity to succeed.  The Marjorie J. Karlson Memorial Scholarship will continue her goal of academic achievement and opportunity for students.  The family recognizes the limitations and barriers that may prevent women from entering into the Computer Science field and would like to encourage them with this scholarship.  The Marjorie J. Karlson Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a female junior or senior, enrolled as a full-time student, majoring in Computer Science.  The recipient must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better and show interest, leadership and commitment to the field.  The Office of Financial Aid, in conjunction with the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and representatives of the Karlson family, will select recipients.  

The Summit Data Communications Internship in Computer Science

Founded in 2005, Summit Data Communications is the worldwide leader in embedded Wi-Fi^® solutions for mobile computers and other business-critical mobile devices.  With headquarters in downtown Akron, Summit is partnering with The University of Akron on several fronts.  The Summit internship demonstrates the firm’s commitment to academic excellence in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences Department of Computer Science. 

Every fall and spring semester, one student will be awarded a $5,000 Summit Internship. Eligible applicants will be students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at The University of Akron with a major or minor in Computer Science.  Summit Communications and the Chair of the Department of Computer Science will review applications and select finalists who demonstrate scholastic achievement, necessary job skills, and a keen interest in the internship.  Summit will interview finalists and select a winner. The student awarded the Summit Internship agrees to work 15 hours per week at Summit Communications for the semester the internship is awarded.

A student can be awarded the Summit Internship for a second semester upon agreement from the department Chair and Summit Communications.

The Ricardo Francisco Garzia Endowed Scholarship for Graduate Students in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

The Ricardo Francisco Garzia Endowed Scholarship for Graduate Students in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering was established in 2009 by Garzia’s family as a loving tribute to Garzia and in appreciation for the deep belief in the value of higher education he instilled in his children and grandchildren.

Ricardo Francisco Garzia was born September 19, 1926 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he attended college and graduate school and began a long and distinguished career as an educator, engineer and executive.  Garzia earned a BSEE from the Otto Krause School in Buenos Aires (1945), an MSEE from Universidad Nacional de La Plata Argentina (1950) and completed the coursework towards a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Universidad Nacional de La Plata Argentina (1953). 

Garzia began his career in education as a professor of the Electrical Engineering Department at the National Technological University in Buenos Aires.  He later became chairman of the Department and served on the University Senate.  He was responsible for the creation of the University’s first computer center in 1964, where he served as Director, and the Center for Technological Research two years later.  While on sabbatical leave from the University, and on a Fellowship granted by the National Center for Technical and Scientific Investigations in Argentina, he joined the Electronics Systems Laboratory at MIT as a research assistant to work on pulsed analog computers and automatic control mechanisms and pursue graduate studies.

In 1967 Garzia moved to the U.S. with his wife Julia Elisa Berrud de Garzia and their four children: Liliana, Silvia, Mario and Fernando.  Three of the Garzia children – Liliana, Silvia and Mario – went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Akron, while Fernando went on to achieve advanced degrees from other Ohio universities.  Ricardo Garzia also took classes at The University of Akron in the College of Engineering’s Ph.D. program, as did Julia Garzia, but within UA’s University College.  All his grand children continue in his tradition pursuing bachelors and advanced degrees in various fields.

Garzia’s first job in the U.S. was as principal engineer and leader of the Computer Applications group at General Dynamics in Rochester, NY.  He served in this position for two years prior to joining Computer Sciences Corporation in Huntsville, Alabama as a Senior Computer Scientist working on fault detection methods  for  the  Space  Shuttle  and Space  Station  and organizing  the  first  Workshop  on  Computer Methods for Fault Isolation in 1970.  In 1971, he joined the Babcock & Wilcox Company in Barberton, Ohio, and served as manager of technical applications until 1984 when he joined AT&T Bell Labs, working alongside his son Mario.  Garzia was a member of Bell Labs’ technical staff until 1989.  In 1990, he founded JBG Software, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio, serving as the company’s executive director, working on new advances in discrete event simulation.  Throughout his time in the corporate sector, he continued to pursue his love for education and teaching. He lectured at several Universities worldwide and also held part-time teaching positions at various universities, including The University of Rochester in Rochester N.Y., and The Ohio State University and Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.     

Ricardo Francisco Garzia was a senior member of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).  He held positions of chairman and vice chairman of the IEEE Computer Society Technical Committee on Simulation and served as associate editor of several IEEE publications.  He was also a member of the IEEE Distinguished Lecture Tour of Region 9.  In addition, he was a member of the Operations Research Society of America (now known as the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences INFORMS). 

Garzia’s work has been widely recognized in his field with numerous awards and honors, including the Engineering Recognition Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution at Bell Laboratories in 1987, the recipient of IEEE’s Computer Society Certificate of Appreciation (1986) for his work on behalf of the society, and appearing in various Who’s Who publications.  Garzia has published in numerous books, professional journals and publications, and co-authored a book with his son, Dr. Mario R. Garzia, titled: “Network Modeling, Simulation and Analysis,” (1990).  Ricardo Francisco Garzia passed away in April 1995.

The Alberta M. and William C. King (‘42) Scholarship Fund

The Alberta M. and William C. King (‘42) Scholarship Fund was established in 1991 as a memorial to Alberta  M. King, wife of William. The scholarship fund recognizes Mrs. King’s belief in the value of higher education and Mr. King’s appreciation for his civil engineering degree earned at The University of Akron.  The Alberta M. and William C. King Scholarships shall be awarded to undergraduate students majoring in engineering in the College of Engineering, and undergraduate students majoring in mathematical sciences or computer science in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. The students shall have a grade point average of 3.00 or better.

The scholarships shall be renewable if the students maintain the academic qualifications during their course of study. However, renewal of the scholarships is not mandated. Recipients of Alberta M. and William C. King Scholarships shall be determined by the scholarship committee of the College of Engineering and the Department of Mathematical Sciences in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences with the assistance of the University Scholarship Committee.  

The Walter E. Maxey Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Walter E. Maxey Memorial Scholarship was established in 2007 by Dr. Maxey’s mother, Gertrude Maxey. Dr. Maxey attended The University of Akron and graduated in 1967 with a BS in Mathematics.  He went on to Purdue University where he earned both his Master’s and Doctorate.  He was a college professor for more than 25 years who taught math, computer science and electrical engineering courses at Merrimack, Amherst and Marietta colleges. 

Funds will benefit students that have graduated from one of the Akron Public Schools who are attending The University of Akron.  Recipients are to be selected from full time students in The College of Arts and Sciences who are pursuing a degree in mathematics or computer science.  It is the donors intention the scholarship will help attract quality students eager to use their skills in teaching, research or business. 

Should no candidates surface in the math or science area, consideration may be given to any outstanding student from the Akron Public School System by the Office of Financial Aid who will be responsible for awarding this scholarship.