The Dr. Ralph A. Alexander Memorial Lectureship Fund
The Dr. Ralph A. Alexander Memorial Lectureship Fund, established in 1993 by friends and colleagues, honors Professor Ralph Alexander, a valued member of The University of Akron Department of Psychology. He served as chair of the Graduate Program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and was a senior fellow of the Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology. Dr. Alexander was an outstanding psychologist, a fine human being, a Fellow of Divisions 5 and 14 of the American Psychological Association, and a man devoted to teaching and studying psychology. The purpose of the lectureship is to annually bring to The University of Akron campus a distinguished and imaginative speaker for the benefit of students for whom Dr. Alexander cared so deeply and to whom he gave so selflessly. Contributions to the fund are welcome.

The Catherine H. Campbell Lecture Series in Art History
The Catherine H. Campbell Lecture Series in Art History was established at The University of Akron in 1999 by Mrs. Campbell who is a graduate of the Mary Schiller Myers School of Art. She has a long-time interest in art history, which was strengthened through her studies. Each semester a nationally or internationally prominent art historian will be invited by the Myers School of Art faculty and school director to give the Catherine H. Campbell Lecture on campus. The Lecture will be open to students and the general public.

The Gilbert W. and Marguerite H. Dilley Performing Artist Series
The Gilbert W. and Marguerite H. Dilley Performing Artist Series brings nationally recognized performing musicians to The University of Akron on an annual basis. The purpose of the Performing Artist Series is to enrich the musical education of students enrolled in the School of Music by bringing to campus musicians who will perform for and with students, give master classes, provide individual and small group instruction, and interact with students in both formal and informal settings. Musicians sponsored by the series will provide experience and motivation not readily available through regular classes, lessons, and rehearsals. They will provide a link between the collegiate setting and the professional world.

The Pauline Franks Fine Arts Endowment
The Pauline Franks Fine Arts Endowment was established for the purpose of enriching the academic program in the Mary Schiller Myers School of Art by providing funding for a catalog in conjunction with an exhibit of work by a prominent artist or artists in Emily Davis Gallery and/or for a lecture by the artist(s). The catalog and/or the lecture will be funded through earnings from the endowment. The Fine Arts Endowment has been established by Miss Franks, Professor Emerita of Bibliography and former University Librarian.

The Hood/Meyerson Lectureship in Free Enterprise
This lectureship was endowed by Nancy Hood and Robert F. Meyerson in 1985 to honor the memories of their fathers, Hartley H. Hood (1880?1969), Cleveland businessman, and Sanford B. Meyerson (1890?1948), Cleveland attorney and businessman. The endowment recognizes the families’ belief in the American system of free enterprise and their commitment to support higher education. The purpose of The University of Akron’s Hood/Meyerson Lectureship is to help keep citizens informed of the responsibilities and opportunities of the free enterprise system. This lectureship seeks to share the thoughts of world leaders and to provide a focal point for communication, discussion, and debate about national and global issues confronting the United States.

The George W. Knepper Endowed Lecture Series
The George W. Knepper Endowed Lecture Series was established in 1992 in recognition of George W. Knepper’s retirement from the University. The Endowed Lecture Series was established with a gift by Arnold and Jill Bellowe in honor of Dr. Knepper. The endowment will provide needed funds to sponsor scholarly conferences and symposia featuring lecturers from all over the world.

The Charles M. Knight Endowed Lectureship
The University established the Charles M. Knight Lectureship in 1986 when Lovina M. Knight of Akron generously provided an endowment for a lectureship in honor of her grandfather who founded chemistry studies at The University of Akron more than a century ago. Dr. Charles M. Knight was a scholar and chemist who established chemistry studies at Buchtel College, predecessor to The University of Akron. Most revered for his devotion to the teaching and study of chemistry, he began a tradition that has remained integral to chemistry at the University. The endowment enables an internationally or nationally distinguished scholar to come to campus each year to spend time with chemistry faculty and students and offer a public lecture.

The John S. Knight Lectureship Fund
Permanently endowed 1995 by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation of Miami, Florida, this lectureship honors the memory of John S. Knight, builder of the Knight?Ridder newspaper empire. The purpose of the lectureship is to bring to The University of Akron a distinguished speaker who will deliver an address annually on a topic of current meaning and value.

The Lectureship in Gerontology
The Lectureship in Gerontology was established in 2005 by a gift from Robert N. and Sharon Gandee to honor their friend Dr. Harvey Stern, who for over 30 years has directed The University of Akron’s Institute for Lifespan Development and Gerontology.

Dr. Gandee and Dr. Stern were colleagues with a professional interest in Gerontology.
Dr. Gandee, who directed the Center for Exercise Physiology and Gerontology for many years, dedicated his career at The University of Akron to educating senior citizens to live healthful and productive lives. Sharon was an educator her entire life. She believes that education should challenge students, broaden their horizons, and expand their scope of life’s opportunities. Together, the Gandees believe education is an important factor in creating direction and fulfillment in life.

The Lectureship in Gerontology is to provide a speaking program for The Institute for Lifespan Development and Gerontology. The lectureship will provide annual opportunities for the students, faculty and the local community to better understand the ways to live longer productive lives.

The D. Bruce Mansfield Lecture Series
This lecture series was established in 1986 with a gift from the Ohio Edison Company in memory of its former president, D. Bruce Mansfield. Mansfield, president of Ohio Edison from 1964 to 1975 was a widely respected attorney and scholar. The D. Bruce Mansfield Lecture Series is designed to promote thought and broaden the educational experiences of University of Akron law students. In keeping with Mansfield's extraordinary accomplishments and legal acuity, speakers invited to participate in the series must have achieved the highest level of legal scholarship. In addition to addressing the public, Mansfield lecturers work closely with students through classroom discussions in their areas of expertise.

The Dorothy Garrett Martin Memorial Delta Gamma Lectureship on Values and Ethics
The Dorothy Garrett Martin Memorial Delta Gamma Lectureship on Values and Ethics at The University of Akron was founded in 1991 by Dorothy Garrett Martin for the International Delta Gamma Fraternity for women. The lectureship brings to The University of Akron campus distinguished lecturers on the broad topic of values and ethics. The lectureship was established on the belief that our civilization was built on precepts that are grounded in the highest ethical standards and that events celebrating these precepts will greatly enhance the academic mission of The University of Akron and by this activity uplift the human spirit and condition. The lectureship represents a significant event which will illuminate and define what is good and bad in the lives, characters, and practices of all professions; and will further educate the students attending The University of Akron as to the value and importance of ethical conduct. Open to students, faculty, and the public, the lectureship will greatly enhance the academic mission of The University of Akron.

The Dorothy Garrett Martin Memorial Delta Gamma Lectureship on Values and Ethics illuminates the core and spirit of Dorothy Garrett Martin, whose great deeds graced many, many people. Dorothy Martin’s generosity and love for Delta Gamma instituted The Dorothy Garrett Martin Center in Columbus, the Dorothy Garrett Martin Challenge Grants on Values and Ethics, and The Dorothy Garrett Martin Scholarship for Eta Chapter of Delta Gamma.

The Mary Schiller Myers Lecture Series
The University of Akron established the Mary Schiller Myers Lecture Series in 1979 when Louis S. and Mary Myers began supporting a lecture series for the performing and visual arts. Mrs. Myers’ aim in creating the rotating lecture series was to provide stimuli and inspirational figures for the edification of undergraduate students. Exposure to these nationally known lecturers can provide creative spark and mentoring for students. Mary Schiller Myers obtained her degree from The University of Akron in 1943. She maintains a lifelong interest in the arts and has provided leadership in the arts community of Northeastern Ohio.

The Albert and Vern Oldham Intellectual Property Law Endowment
What is now known as Oldham, Oldham & Wilson Co., L.P.A., was originally founded in 1947 by two brothers, Albert H. Oldham and Vern L. Oldham, both of whom attended the old Akron Law School. Named in memory of the founders of Oldham & Oldham, a patent law firm, this gift was made possible by its senior partner, Edwin W. (Ned) Oldham, and other members of the firm. The Intellectual Enterprise Lecture Series will be devoted to Patent, Copyright and Trademark Law. Although the lecture series will address Intellectual Property Law generally, the series will include an innovation and entrepreneurial spirit as well. The firm's practice includes Patent, Trademark, Copyright and Unfair Competition Law, Litigation, Licensing and Technology Law and Foreign Patent Law.

The Walter A. Sheppe Lectureship in Environmental Biology
This lectureship fund was established in 1996 by Dr. Walter A. Sheppe, Emeritus Professor of Biology, to introduce and advance ecological endeavors through visiting scholars in the field of environmental biology. Lectures will share and discuss ecological projects and research, promoting new knowledge and advancing vocational and research endeavors of students and faculty of The University of Akron. Lecturers and lecture format, coordinated by the Department of Biology, will allow students and faculty to interact with the visiting scholar on an informal basis.

During his 20 year tenure at The University of Akron, Dr. Sheppe showed great concern for the conservation and ecology efforts. A vertebrate ecologist, Dr. Sheppe conducted research on mammal populations in Canada and southern Africa. He founded the Akron area Sierra Club, a leading organization which helped secure congressional approval of the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, and remains active in promoting ecological activities including urban ecology and the preservation of historical industrial buildings.

The Williams Lecture Series
The Williams Lecture Series in Biology was established in 1985 by Dr. Gary B. and Pam Williams. Dr. Williams, having received his undergraduate degree from the biology department, had an interest in providing special educational opportunities for graduate and undergraduate biology students. The Williams Lecture Series annually provides for several nationally known investigators to discuss projects and demonstrate research techniques to students. This format allows students to interact with the visitors on an informal basis, and this interaction can be influential in their career development.