THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT
Welcome, Alumni and Friends!
The University of Akron is grateful for the generous support it receives from alumni, friends, corporations and foundations. The support enables the University to achieve its goals, including funding scholarships, fellowships, professorships, campus renovations, new facilities and much more.
The mission of Development is to strengthen and advance the University’s relationship with its alumni, friends and students. It is through these connections that both the University and its constituencies are enriched.
Whether in the form of a gift or through involvement, supporting the University yields an unparalleled return on investment for many benefactors, creating deep and lasting ties to the University – and to the students the institution serves.
You are invited to explore the many opportunities that UA offers alumni and friends to get involved and make a difference!
Donor Stories
Fond memories of UA inspire alumnus to establish scholarship, help students
Dr. George Anastos only lived in Akron for seven years, but the experience – and especially his time at The University of Akron – remained a positive force throughout his life. So much so, that Anastos established a scholarship at UA to honor his late wife and remembered the University with a generous gift just months before his own passing in December 2017.
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Area benefactor's estate assists UA Audiology
The estate of Bittner and his wife, Marie, established The Charles (Chick) and Marie C. Bittner Advanced Hearing Technology and Therapy Endowment Fund in November 2017. The fund will support UA’s Audiology and Speech Center which provides a full range of clinical speech, language and hearing services for children and adults in the greater Akron-Canton area and Northeast Ohio.
UA to receive largest gift in its history
The gift, from the estate of Jean Hower Taber, is estimated at more than $20 million, the largest in our 147-year history. Two-thirds of it will go to student scholarships; the rest will preserve Hower House and programming that supports the University's mission.
Alumnus named to Global Finance Power List
Joe Reece, executive vice chairman of UBS Securities LLC and an alumnus of The University of Akron, has been named to the list of “The 100 Most Powerful Men and Women in Finance” for 2017 by Worth Magazine.
$3 million estate gift to support mechanical engineering scholarships
Ernest R., ’51, and Marianna C. Grotefend directed a generous estate gift of $3 million to The University of Akron, with the first installment of $1.5 million received-to-date. These funds will support student scholarships in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
UA benefactor Pauline Frank's estate gift assists University Libraries
Ms. Franks passed away earlier this year. Her estate recently made a gift of more than $30,000 to support University Libraries, funds which will establish a more student-centered, inviting space for Bierce Library’s recently relocated Media Services unit.
Story archives
Development on Twitter @UAGives
Tweets by @UAgives
Akron Magazine
Bridging the Distance is an interactive outreach initiative for alumni and friends of UA who live in different regions of Ohio, the United States and the world.
At the center of this program is everyone’s favorite marsupial and Akron's No. 1 mascot, Zippy! The goal of Bridging the Distance is to re-discover, re-engage and re-connect with UA family and friends. Visit the Bridging the Distance webpage to learn more!
We are proud of our alumni, and we would like you to “Post your Pride!" Did you recently get a promotion or win an award? Did you start a business…or a family?
Whatever your points of pride may be, please take a moment to update your information and share your accomplishments with your alma mater.
LEADERSHIP
Kim Cole
Vice President Development & Executive Director, UA Foundation,
kmorgan@uakron.edu or 330-972-7608
