Dean Emeritus Frank N. Kelley speaks to rising leaders in the Akron community

As part of Leadership Akron’s Class 33 Akron City Tour, Dr. Frank N. Kelley, Dean Emeritus of The University of Akron’s College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, spoke Wednesday at UA’s Goodyear Polymer Center to rising leaders in the Akron community. Dr. Kelley is an alumnus of both the University and the Leadership Akron program. His grandson, also Frank Kelley, who is part of the current Jr. Leadership class, joined members of the current Signature Class 33 for the talk entitled “Background and Importance of Polymers for the Akron Region and Ohio”.

Dr. Kelley outlined the history of UA and the Akron rubber industry, a story that goes back 106 years to the first ever semester long polymer course taught by Dr. Charles Knight. He talked about the years when rubber manufacturing left the region, but how rubber research and technology centers remained and engaged with UA. As the polymer industry evolved, UA’s polymer program and research grew and expanded into new areas. Dr. Kelley reminisced about the Edison Polymer Innovation Corporation, an industry multi-university collaboration that strengthened and distributed UA expertise to the wider polymer industry. He touched on emerging technology such as biomedical materials and flexible electronics as extensions of the polymer industry. He concluded with a story of the Chihuly sculpture that welcomes visitors at the Goodyear Polymer Center entrance.

Since 1984 Leadership Akron has been connecting leaders to advance the community. Leadership Akron’s role is to strengthen and broaden Akron’s collaborative leadership base by encouraging these leaders to readily work together to address challenges and develop solutions for the benefit and well-being of the community. Learn more about the Leadership Akron program.

Dr. Frank N. Kelley served The University of Akron for 28 years before retiring as Dean of the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering.  He is credited for his great leadership in advancing the College to one of the top polymer programs in the country. Dr. Kelley continues to be a leader within the university, the polymer industry and the Akron community. Learn more about Dr. Frank N. Kelley.