University Park Alliance Presents Annual Awards

Akron, Ohio, May 13, 2008 — University Park Alliance (UPA) presented 11 community engagement and real estate development awards yesterday to Akron-area community leaders and University of Akron students and faculty.

The annual UPA awards, sponsored by Dominion, recognize outstanding community members, businesses, institutions, service agencies, and UA students, faculty and staff for their contributions to the revitalization of the University Park neighborhood surrounding the University. The event raised more than $18,000 to support the University Park Scholarship Fund.

“The University of Akron has a long-standing commitment to its surrounding neighborhoods. These awards shine a spotlight on efforts to work together with our community partners to provide truly meaningful transformation. University Park Alliance has the potential to become a model for future university-based community revitalization initiatives,” says UA President Luis M. Proenza.

Dr. Elizabeth J. Stroble, UA senior vice president, provost and chief operating officer, and Thomas G. Knoll, chairman of Summa Health System's board of directors, assisted Proenza in presenting the awards.

An Outstanding Student Engagement Award went to UA senior art student Mathew A. Pearlman. In 2007, Pearlman established and organized five independent “Scene as Art” student art shows at Thursday's Lounge on East Exchange Street in University Park.

Receiving Outstanding Faculty Engagement Awards were Carolyn Behrman, associate professor of anthropology, and Stephen R. Cook, director of UA's New Business Legal Clinic.

Behrman conceived and developed the “Mason School Study” as a way to document the impact of various service-learning activities between Mason Park Elementary School and UA students. Cook provided free monthly workshops on the legal issues associated with starting a small business in the University Park area.

Mary H. Dee and Bonnie Williams, associate dean of University College, received Outstanding Staff Engagement Awards. Through Asian Services in Action Inc. (ASIA), Dee provided service to University Park Asian residents through the Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) in 2007. Through the Learning Communities program, Williams worked with administrators in the Akron Public Schools to develop tutoring programs at Leggett and Mason elementary schools.

Receiving Outstanding Community Engagement Awards were Patrice S. Lange, Stephanie Churn and Philip H. Maynard.

Lange is chairperson of the University Park Art Fair, board member of University Park Development Corporation (UPDC) and vice president of planning and corporate support for Summa Health System. She serves as a volunteer board member of UPDC and in that capacity developed, championed and chairs the University Park Art Fair at Grace Park.

In 2007, Churn, principal of Mason Community Learning Center (formerly Mason Elementary School) has been a great advocate for educational excellence in University Park. She has been a generous and smart community partner for UA and UPA.

Maynard, CEO and chairman of ASW Properties Ltd., was honored for his efforts to revitalize the University Park community by providing key private investment and outstanding business leadership. Developing Spicer Village, an owner-occupied housing community, assisting Hattie Larlham in opening a neighborhood café and taking the lead in establishing the University Park Business Association is helping UPA reach its goals.

UPA Development Awards recognizing notable real estate investments in University Park were presented to Mason Community Learning Center, Akron Innovation Campus and Legacy Partners Summa Center.

As recipients of scholarships from the University Park Scholarship Fund, two long-time residents of University Park will receive $4,000 per year to attend UA. Kayla Miller will study nursing and Niem Tran will study biomedical engineering.

Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic delivered the luncheon's keynote address, and commended UPA on work accomplished to date.

The University Park Alliance is a partnership between The University of Akron, the City of Akron, Summa Health System, Akron Beacon Journal, AMHA, Akron Public Schools, the Greater Akron Chamber and the University Park Development Corporation to help revitalize the University Park neighborhoods. Major funding for this effort is provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

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