Spring 2011 - The University of Akron

Akron
A MAgA zine for AluM ni & f riends of The u niversiT y of Akron
SPRING / 2011
UA StUdeNtS SPeNd SPRING BReAk
HelPING New ORleANS See story on page 13
PLUS:
OSHeR ScHOlARSHIPS
ASSISt AdUlt leARNeRS
AtHletIc tIcket
OffIce NAmed
fOR cOUPle
UA ReSeARcHeRS
fINd AeROGel
fOR SPAce mISSIONS

Akron
A MAgA zine for AluM ni & f riends of
The u niversiT y of Akron
Office of the Alumni Association
Stitzlein Alumni Center
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-2602
330-972-7270; Fax 330-384-2608
Email: alumni@uakron.edu
Executive Director, Alumni Association and
College-Centered Programs
Kim Karson ’93, ’95
Laura and Zippy journeyed
through the Panama Canal.
Laura Tejada, ’88, ’97, ’08,
let Zippy tag along during a
trip through Central America.
Laura said climbing
(or was it hopping?)
the Xunantunich
Pyramid in Belize was
nothing for Zippy!
Zippy joined Mark, ’82,’84, and
Karen Janes, ’83, on a tour of Mt. Fuji
on a recent vacation to Toyko, Japan.
Our favorite marsupial
accompanied Drew Premik, ’83,
on a tour of the
U.S. Naval Station at
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Assistant Directors of Alumni Relations
Courtney (Wilcoxson) Gonser ’99, ’06
Selena (Staley) Myers ’99, ’09
Vice President of Public Affairs
and Development
John LaGuardia ’70, ’74
President of The University of Akron
Dr. Luis M. Proenza
The University of Akron’s Board of Trustees
Ann Amer Brennan ’56, ’82, Chair
Richard W. Pogue ’04, Vice Chair
Edward L. Bittle ’68, Vice Chair
Judge Jane E. Bond ’76
Dr. Chander Mohan
Ralph J. Palmisano ’70
Warren L. Woolford ’74
Nicholas C. York
Student Trustees:
Kathleen A. Duff
Joseph T. Rich
Officers of the Board:
Ted A. Mallo ’67, ’68, ’72, Vice President and
General Counsel and Secretary of the Board
Paul A. Herold ’78, ’99, Assistant Secretary
of the Board
Editor
Karen (Romas) Fettig ’96
Art Direction & Production
Public Design Company
Photo Credits
Jeff Harwell ’84, ’07; Scott Horstman;
John Ashley; Dave Shoenfelt ’68
Dr. Gary B. Williams, ’68,
and Zippy golfed together
at the Wyboo Golf Club
in South Carolina.
Send your Zippy travel photos to editor@uakron.edu

EnginEEring StudEntS Win rEgional ChEm-E-Car CompEtition
The UA Chem-E-Car Design Team won the North Central Regional Chem-E-Car Championship on April 9 at Michigan Technological
University where UA’s “Monty” Carlo stopped 10.5 inches away from the 67-foot finish line. UA will advance to the 2011 American
Institute for Chemical Engineers (AIChE) National Student Conference Oct. 14 in Minneapolis, Minn.
UA Chem-E-Car team members, left to right: Adam Fries, Evan Arnold, Corey Sauer, Chris Alcorn, James Kirkwood,
Marcus Grimm, Tom Kuenzig, Bradford Vielhaber, Kyle Hamblin, Abigail Kontur and Paul Young.
P R ING
2011
)
S
( cONteNtS
feAtUReS
4 Alumna Establishes Scholarship
5 UA Researchers Find Polymer-reinforced
Aerogel Resilient for Space Missions
6 Osher Scholarships Assist Adult Learners
8 Athletic Ticket Office Gets a
New Name in Honor of Couple
+ UA Inventor Receives Ohio
Patent Legacy Award
9 UA Researcher Revolutionizes
Rubber Recycling
10 Alumnus Provides Real Estate in His Will
11 Longtime UA Supporters Help
Students in Need
13 UA Students Spend Spring Break
Helping New Orleans
dePARtmeNtS
2 UP FRONT
14 COllege News
17 CAMPUs News
21 sideliNes
22 AlUMNi News
4
7
10
12
The Swagelok
Engineering
Scholarship
Corrosion Control
Collaboration
Receives $2 Million
Philanthropic Family
Continues UA Support
The Timken
Scholarship Program
Brings International
Students to UA
On the Cover: During Alternative Spring Break 2011, 120
University of Akron students, faculty and staff journeyed to New Orleans
to help in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. See story on page 13.
Akron Magazine is published three times a year by The University of Akron
Alumni Association, and distributed to alumni, faculty, staff and friends of
the University. Send editorial correspondence to: Akron Magazine, Office
of the Alumni Association, Stitzlein Alumni Center, The University of Akron,
Akron, OH 44325-2602. POSTMASTER: Send all address changes to
Akron Magazine, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-2603. Opinions
expressed in Akron Magazine are not necessarily those of University of Akron
representatives and do not necessarily reflect University policies. Material
may be reprinted only with permission. The University of Akron is an equal
education and equal employment institution. © 2011 The University of Akron
A M AgA z in e for A lu M ni & f rie n ds of T h e u ni v e r siT y of A k ron

UP fRONt
UA Participates at Obama’s ‘Winning the Future Forum’
President Barack Obama drops by the Youth Engagement Roundtable
at the Winning the Future Forum on Small Business at Cleveland State
University on Feb. 12. Seated, facing President Obama is Steve Sedlock,
president of Associated Student Government (right, in silver tie). Official
White House Photo by Pete Souza.
As part of President Barack Obama’s visit to Cleveland State
University Feb. 22, he held several meetings and roundtables to
discuss with local business and community leaders and college
students how America can best support small businesses, which
play a vital role in job creation, economic recovery, global
competitiveness and the long-term strength of the United States.
Obama heard directly from those constituents, including
University of Akron President Luis M. Proenza, about their ideas
to grow the economy at the “Winning the Future Forum on
Small Business.” The forum, hosted in association with CSU and
Northeast Ohio economic development organizations JumpStart
and NorTech, welcomed more than 100 small business owners
and other Northeast Ohio community leaders.
Steve Sedlock, UA’s president of Associated Student
Government, was invited to be part of “The White House
Roundtable with Young Leaders,” which was part of the larger
forum on economic development.
Senior administration takes part in forum
There were several “breakout sessions,” each led by senior
cabinet officials, such as Small Business Administration
administrator Karen Mills, and Secretaries Timothy Geithner of
Treasury, Hilda Solis of Labor, Gary Locke of Commerce and
Steven Chu of Energy.
Proenza said President Obama started out in his session on
Entrepreneurship together with Mills and Steve Case, a cofounder
of AOL. Obama then went to each of the other sessions
before coming back to the full group to “report out” on what
they had heard.
“I’m very pleased that President Obama and his staff invited
me to participate in the forum, not only as a representative of
The University of Akron, but for Ohio higher education as well,
along with some of my colleagues at other state colleges and
universities,” Proenza said.
“Like industry, higher education must innovate its way
to a better future through innovation, entrepreneurship and
creativity,” Proenza continued. “The University of Akron’s
success as an engine of regional economic development has
caught the attention of several national organizations that
promote higher education’s role in driving regional economies,
so it’s only fitting that our university and other higher education
institutions in Ohio were at the table with our president.”
Students’ voices heard
According to Sedlock, the young leaders’ group, which
was joined for a time by Obama, focused on three major
topics: funding startups and supporting new technology; the
affordability of higher education; and helping graduates stay in
the state through strategic job placement.
“The conversation began with how we can improve funding
for startup businesses, and how to continue to drive technology
and support new technology,” said Sedlock, a senior marketing
management and e-marketing/advertising major and 2006
graduate of Canton McKinley High School. “For example, we
explored how the government and private organizations can
make startups possible through seed money.”
Roundtable participants also discussed a Carnegie Mellon
virtual reality program through which all graduates are
guaranteed a job. “We could explore enticing large companies
to do this with UA polymer graduates, for example,” Sedlock
explained. “Job placement after graduation is a salient issue, and
ties back to the funding of startups.”
Several Northeast Ohio schools participate
The 45-minute discussion was “very laid back and open,”
according to Sedlock, and included representatives from
Cleveland State University, Case Western Reserve University,
Kent State, Ashland University, Cuyahoga Community College
and the College of Wooster.
“Overall, it was amazing to know that the highest office in
the country cares about what students think,” said Sedlock. “We
very candidly exchanged ideas and offered feedback. Often, the
White House staff had answers right on the spot and we already
are planning to do follow-up conference calls.”
| 2 |

New Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Named
David J. Cummins has been appointed
vice president for finance and
administration and chief financial officer
at The University of Akron. He assumed
his responsibilities effective on March 21.
Cummins arrives at UA from the Ohio
Board of Regents, where he served as vice
chancellor, finance and data management
and oversaw the policies and procedures
DAVID J. CUMMINS
for State subsidy support of public higher
education institutions. He also was responsible for developing
budget requests, both operating and capital, for State support.
“David Cummins’ considerable experience in the financial
sector of Ohio public higher education will be important to The
University of Akron in these challenging times,” said Dr. Luis
M. Proenza, UA president. “We are pleased to have a person of
David’s caliber and expertise join the University community.”
Cummins will play key role in new strategic plan
At UA, Cummins will be responsible for all fiscal operations,
financial planning and budgeting, treasury services, student
financial services, purchasing, parking services, Hower House,
dining services, telecommunications and other auxiliary services.
He will play a key role on the senior leadership team as the
university prepares to move forward with a new strategic plan.
“We are pleased that David is joining us in these moments of
opportunity in budget planning and strategy,” said Dr. William
M. “Mike” Sherman, UA’s senior vice president, provost and
chief operating officer. “His expertise in streamlining processes,
budgets and improving efficiencies will link directly with our
integrated planning and other goals.”
In addition to his work at the Board of Regents, Cummins
has enjoyed a successful career in higher education finance. He
spent seven years as vice president for administrative services
and treasurer at Lorain County Community College, and nearly
four years at North Central Technical College in Mansfield as
vice president of business & finance/treasurer. And as a senior
budget/management analyst with the Ohio Office of Budget &
Management in Columbus for many years, Cummins supervised
the Education Section, which is responsible for budget
development and oversight of all education-related state agencies
– both operating and capital.
Wide range of experience
While at LCCC, Cummins oversaw the creation of a Shared
Services model between the Elyria-based community college
and UA to share the management of a new Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) system. Shared Service is the convergence
and streamlining of non-competing business processes for the
purpose of reducing costs while improving the breadth and
quality of services.
“The long-standing, strong partnerships between The
University of Akron and Lorain County Community College
have enabled me to get to know UA very well, so I know how
forward-thinking the University is,” Cummins said. “I am truly
excited to join UA, and I look forward to working with President
Proenza, Provost Sherman and the rest of the leadership team
to support and advance the University’s mission of excellence in
teaching, research and student success. This is the time to focus
on efficiencies and focus on the positive outcomes for students.”
Board Vice Chair Edward Bittle Named RPN’s Executive of Year
Edward L. Bittle, vice chair of The University of Akron’s Board of Trustees, was named 2010
Executive of the Year by Rubber & Plastics News (RPN).
President and owner of Seal Master Corp. and ELBEX Corp. in Kent, Bittle began his career as
an apprentice draftsman for BF Goodrich.
Bittle is a UA alumnus and member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and Phi Alpha Theta
Honorary Society. He has served as president of the Varsity “A” Association. He has lectured to
entrepreneurship classes and has served on the University College Advisory Council and the Zips
Athletic Club Advisory Board.
His most recent honor is among several others, including the Alumni Honor Award for Excellence
in Professional Achievement in 1994 and the “Red” Cochran Award for Meritorious Service in 1999.
Appointed to the Board in 2002, Bittle’s term expires this year.
A M AgA z in e for A lu M ni & f rie n ds of T h e u ni v e r siT y of A k ron w w w. ua k ron. edu
| 3 |

( feATure sTory )
The Swagelok Engineering Scholarship
art anton
Fred lennon
Recognizing that exceptional engineering students are
competitively recruited by universities, The Swagelok
Engineering Scholarship at The University of Akron
was established in January, 2011 with a challenge
grant from The Fred A. Lennon Charitable Trust to
help attract and retain an elite-caliber of talented
engineering students at the University.
“Attracting top engineering talent to local
universities is critical to supporting our strong
manufacturing base,” stated Arthur F. Anton, president
and chief executive officer of the Swagelok Company.
“The Swagelok Engineering Scholarship is one way
we support ‘brain gain’ on a local level, while helping
to ensure advancements in mechanical, corrosion
and reliability engineering for our customers. We are
proud to support The University of Akron.”
Fred Lennon founded the Swagelok Company
in 1947. Today, Swagelok’s annual sales are
approximately $1.3 billion (USD), and more than
4,000 men and women worldwide are employed
by the company, with 3,600 associates working in
Northeast Ohio. Swagelok delivers high-quality fluid
system solutions to customers across the globe, guided
by six core values: quality, continuous improvement,
innovation, respect for the individual, integrity, and
customer focus.
Lennon was active in, and contributed much to, a
variety of charitable and nonprofit organizations in
Ohio. He created the Fred A. Lennon Foundation,
which between its establishment in 1965 and its
dissolution in 1995, donated millions to a variety
of schools, nonprofit foundations and charities.
Following his death in 1998, The Fred A. Lennon
Charitable Trust was created to honor him
posthumously, and has continued to fund and assist
schools and charities in the region.
The Swagelok Engineering Scholarships are funded
by a challenge grant from The Fred A. Lennon
Charitable Trust. The University of Akron Foundation
is actively seeking matching scholarship money for
College of Engineering students to take advantage of
this opportunity.
Contact Kaye Bogue at 330-972-8572 or
kbogue@uakron.edu for more information.
Alumna Establishes Scholarship
Erica Jones (left) with Starrnesha davis
In the summer of 2010, Erica Jones (’99-BA Mass Media-Radio/TV) decided
to establish her own named fund at The University of Akron. With the help
of the Office of Multicultural Development, Jones was able to select a student
from a pool of applicants to provide scholarship assistance and mentoring. The
first recipient is StarrNesha Davis, a first-generation college student. Davis is a
second year student, a residence assistant and a student assistant in the Office
of Multicultural Development.
Half of Jones’ annual gift is used as direct student support, while the other
half is designated to build an endowment through the UA Foundation. She was
thrilled to find out that her company had a matching gift plan. With her annual
gift, Xerox Corp. will match endowment funds.
Jones wants to inspire other young alumni to give back and also provide a
“pay it forward” model for the recipients. She hopes that the recipients of this
award will give back to UA in the same way when they are able. “This is the
best thing to happen to me this year,” Jones stated.
| 4 |

( feATure sTory )
UA Researchers Find Polymer-reinforced
Aerogel Resilient for Space Missions
dr. Sadhan C. Jana, Department of
Polymer Engineering chair and professor,
holds polymer-reinforced aerogel.
The supercritical aerogel dryer was built by
UA polymer engineering graduate student
andrew Shinko.
Polymer-reinforced aerogels could soon go on a space mission.
Modifying the mechanical properties of aerogels with a polymer
reinforcement creates a durable thermal insulator primed for
aerospace, according to recently published research by Dr. Sadhan C.
Jana, University of Akron Department of Polymer Engineering chair
and professor, UA Ph.D. graduate Jason Randall and NASA Glenn
Research Center collaborator Dr. Mary Ann Meador.
“Tailoring Mechanical Properties of Aerogels for Aerospace
Application,” featured as a spotlight article in the March 23, 2011,
edition of the American Chemical Society’s Applied Material &
Interfaces, describes how polymer-strengthened silica aerogels maintain
their effectiveness as thermal insulators under supercritical conditions
of outer space, including temperature and pressure extremes.
Polymer improves strength and flexibility
Low thermal conductivity and low density make silica aerogels ideal
insulators, according to Jana, yet their fragility often counters their
prospective effectiveness, particularly in aerospace applications.
Comprised of approximately 95 percent air and 5 percent silica, the
delicate aerogels typically break down under relatively low stresses.
However, a polymer conformal coating on the silica nanoskeleton
not only improves the strength of aerogels, but their elasticity and
flexibility as well.
“Consequently, you now have a material capable of withstanding
compression and bending stresses as well as temperature extremes,
making it a candidate for use on space rovers, inflatable decelerators
and EVA suits,” said Jana, whose team research examined density,
pore structure, modulus and elastic recovery of epoxy-reinforced
aerogels.
Subsequent research could lead to streamlined methods for
applying the polymer reinforcement to aerosol articles and expanding
their use and configuration. As flexible thin sheets, for example,
aerogel insulation material can be wrapped easily around pipes or
tanks, using shape memory properties of the polymer reinforcement,
or can be produced in net shapes obviating secondary processing or
secondary handling, according to Jana.
The three-year research program was funded with $90,000 by
NASA, under the Graduate Student Research Program Fellowship,
to graduate student Randall.
A M AgA z in e for A lu M ni & f rie n ds of T h e u ni v e r siT y of A k ron w w w. ua k ron. edu
| 5 |

( feATure sTory )
Osher Scholarships Assist Adult Learners
For the third consecutive year,
the Bernard Osher Foundation will ease the financial burden
of adult students through a $50,000 grant to The University of
Akron to continue The Osher Reentry Scholarship Program – a
scholarship specifically dedicated to adult learners.
UA Adult Focus will award 20 scholarships of $2,500 in the
2011-12 academic year. Award recipients, called Osher Scholars,
will receive the first awards in the fall 2011 semester.
“The Osher Reentry Scholarship has become an anchor
for new interest in adult scholarship opportunities,” said
Laura Conley, director of UA Adult Focus. “It has shed light on
the scholarship needs of nontraditional and adult students.”
Those eligible for the scholarship must be between 25 and
50 years old; have been away from school for a minimum of
five years; be working toward the completion of their first
baccalaureate degree; be enrolled full-time (carrying at least 12
credit hours); have a minimum of one semester completed at UA;
and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
UA is one of 73 institutions, including Pennsylvania State
University, Northwestern University and UCLA, to receive this
grant funding, which recognizes excellence in adult learning
programs.
The Bernard Osher Foundation, headquartered in San
Francisco, was founded in 1977 by Bernard Osher, a respected
businessman and community leader. The foundation seeks to
improve quality of life through support for higher education and
the arts.
Call the ua adult Focus office at 330-972-5793 for more information.
Osher Scholars
Carrie andrews
Carrie made the decision to return
to school in order to provide a better
life for her family and to be a role
model for her four children. A single
mother, Carrie has had to work three
jobs while still attending classes fulltime
as she pursues a degree in
sociology/criminology/law enforcement. By receiving this
scholarship, it has helped to make Carrie’s dream of getting
a degree more attainable while enabling her to spend more
time with her children.
Joe meister
After graduating from high school,
Joe did not feel that going on to
college was the right thing for him.
He decided to enter the workforce
where after years of hard work in hot
kitchens he decided to take his life
to the next level. He took the adult
Student Success Seminar class his first semester which
helped him transition from an adult worker to an adult
student. He plans to graduate with a degree in exercise
science and continue to graduate school for a degree in
physical therapy. The Osher Scholarship has helped him to
continue with his goal.
Kevin messick
Kevin started college years ago but
never finished. After working fulltime
in the construction industry
and starting a family, he realized he
did not want his son to pursue his
goals and dreams without a college
education. Being someone that firmly
believes in leading by example, he chose to return to college.
Kevin is a senior with expectations of graduating in 2011
with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in
corporate financial management and is very grateful for
the Osher Scholarship.
| 6 |

( feATure sTory )
Public-private Corrosion Control
Collaboration Receives $2 Million
The University of Akron and MesoCoat Inc. of Euclid
will merge expertise in corrosion control with $2
million in Third Frontier funding. The collaborative
effort will focus on developing and commercializing
advanced inorganic metal coatings, ultimately
fast-tracking MesoCoat’s growth and job creation
potential while reducing corrosion’s $300 billion cost to the U.S.
infrastructure economy.
The collaboration centers on development, qualification and
technical risk reduction for an advanced inorganic cladding called
CermaCladTM. The high-energy density, large-area coating and
cladding technology is being jointly developed and tested by UA
and MesoCoat. MesoCoat also is commercializing the technology.
Energy and cost savings projected
“This inorganic nanocomposite coating provides reductions
in emissions and cost for conventional and alternate energy
production infrastructure. It also makes possible energy savings
and cost reductions through the life extension of the steel used
in transportation and energy generation,” said Andrew Sherman,
CEO and founder of MesoCoat.
Targeted for tubular steel, steel plate, valves and flanges
used for infrastructure, including oil and gas pipelines, the
metal cladding and hybrid powder coating will be developed
by MesoCoat and tested for life extension and cost reduction
projections by Mark Soucek, UA professor of polymer
engineering, and his student research team.
The joint-use laboratory — located at UA — also will
develop the powder coating based on previously published and
unpublished work, and also scale-up the powder coating with
equipment funded by the Wright project. “The University of Akron
will provide third-party testing and validation to the process and
end performance of the coated steel for MesoCoat,” said Soucek.
Students studying corrosion and reliability engineering at UA will
serve as project interns trained and poised for future engineering
positions, which are expected with MesoCoat’s anticipated
growth.
The powder coating developed at UA also may transfer as a
startup company.
Kent miller, a polymer engineering Ph.D. student at UA,
applies powder coating to a steel plate, which will be tested
for corrosion resistance after exposure to light, moisture
and temperature extremes.
About MesoCoat Inc.
MesoCoat is a venture-backed nanotechnology materials science
company. The company’s surface engineering technologies have
already been the recipient of three prestigious R&D 100 awards,
a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) award
for “100-year life coatings for infrastructure,” and the NorTech
Innovation Award for environmentally friendly coatings.
Through partnerships with the Departments of Defense and
Energy, and leading oil and gas companies, MesoCoat has
developed high strength, high toughness ceramic-metallic materials
and high speed fusion cladding processes providing unparalleled
wear and corrosion resistance; and has verified performance,
productivity and cost benefits with industry leaders in oil and gas,
aerospace, energy generation, and maritime industries.
MesoCoat is now commercializing several of its products
and services that are a direct replacement for hard chrome
plating, as well as weld cladding processes to address the needs
of both original equipment manufacturers and maintenance
and repair organizations.
A M AgA z in e for A lu M ni & f rie n ds of T h e u ni v e r siT y of A k ron w w w. ua k ron. edu
| 7 |

( feATure sTory )
Athletic Ticket Office Gets a
New Name in Honor of Couple
Cornelius “C.p.” and Cornelia Chima
In honor of the philanthropic efforts of Cornelius “C.P.” Chima and his wife, Cornelia
“Neal” Chima, and in recognition of the couple’s ongoing commitment to The University
of Akron, The University of Akron’s Athletics Ticket Office has been named The C.P.
and Neal S. Chima Department of Athletics Ticket Office.
C.P. and Neal Chima have been an integral part of the Akron community for many
decades. C.P. attended The University of Akron in 1941 before serving with valor in
both World War II and the Korean Conflict, as a pilot of bombers and fighter planes.
Mr. Chima’s father, Peter Chima, founded Chima Travel Bureau. C.P., his brother,
George, and their families run Chima Travel; C.P. is chairman. C.P. also is Founder and
Secretary Treasurer of Car Lease, Inc., and Founder and Secretary/Treasurer of City
Yellow Cab Co.
Mr. and Mrs. Chima have been supporters of the University since 1963. C.P. has been
a member of the Center for Economic Education Advisory Board at The University of
Akron, and Neal has taught college classes in geography and education.
The C.P. and Cornelia Chima Family Building, named in recognition of the Chimas’
2008 gift to the University’s College of Education, is located at Fir Hill and Forge streets
in Akron and houses the College of Education’s counseling program. The Chimas made
an additional gift at the end of 2010, and the University has received gifts from Chima
Travel, primarily for scholarships.
UA Inventor Receives Ohio
Patent Legacy Award
dr. Joseph Kennedy
Dr. Joseph Kennedy, UA distinguished professor of polymer science and chemistry, and
attorney Ray Weber, will receive the Ohio Patent Legacy Award for 2011 from the
Ohio Academy of Science and Intellectual Property Law Section of the Ohio State Bar
Association.
Kennedy’s selection was based on U.S. Patent Re. 34,640 (Thermoplastic Elastomers
of Isobutylene and Process of Preparation), awarded to him and Dr. Judith Puskas,
professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering; Dr. G. Kaszas; and W. Hager.
The researchers used living cationic polymerization to create a revolutionary new
thermoplastic elastomer based on isobutylene and styrene. This elastomer was
successfully commercialized as the polymer coating for Boston Scientific’s most popular
drug-eluting coronary stent.
Kennedy’s recognition also was based on his entire collection of 103 patents.
He accepted his award April 16 at Otterbein University.
| 8 |

( feATure sTory )
UA Researcher Revolutionizes
Rubber Recycling
Scrap rubber has remained little
more than, well, scrap — until now.
University of Akron researcher
Dr. Avraam Isayev developed an
innovative rubber recovery technology
expected to cause a major shift in
rubber reprocessing for industrial use.
Isayev, a distinguished professor of
polymer engineering, and his student
research team invented a unique rubber
processing method using a novel
technique, ultrasonic devulcanization.
Isayev’s patented innovation allows
the recovery of rubber materials,
dr. avraam isayev which has been difficult, if not
impossible, due to rubber’s vulcanized
or crosslinked nature.
Think scrap-tire heap.
Isayev’s technology enables devulcanization, or breaking, of
the sulfur crosslink bonds in the rubber compound, permitting
the once scrap material to be reprocessed and reused.
Technology 15 years in the making
“Extensive experimental and theoretical
studies were conducted based on this and
other related inventions,” said Isayev,
noting that more than 50 articles and book
chapters were published during the last
15 years to develop this technology. The
National Science Foundation, NASA and a
number of industrial companies funded the
studies.
Isayev founded Avraam Corp. to develop
an industrial ultrasonic extruder to carry
out the process of recovering rubber from
tires, roofing materials, shoe soles and other
industrially significant products. World
leading athletic shoe supplier Nike Inc.
funded the research.
His cutting-edge research is attracting attention. NorTech,
a regional nonprofit technology-based economic development
organization and catalyst for growing Northeast Ohio’s emerging
technology industries, selected the development as a winner of its
2011 Advanced Materials Innovation Award Feb. 24.
Isayev received a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
from the Azerbaijan Institute of Oil and Chemistry in Baku in
1964. He also received a Master of Science degree in Applied
Mathematics from the Institute of Electronic Machine Building
in Moscow in 1965. In 1970, he earned his Ph. D. in Polymer
Engineering from the Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis of the
USSR Academy of Sciences in Moscow.
He has edited four books and has been issued 23 patents;
published 190 papers in referred journals, 26 papers in books,
five papers in encyclopedias, and 104 in referred conference
proceedings. Isayev’s publications have received over 2,500
citations according to the Science Citation Index, and his patents
have received over 200 U.S. patent citations according to the IBM
Patent Server.
He has presented 225 papers at the national and international
conferences, including plenary, keynote and invited lectures, and
109 seminars over the world.
A M AgA z in e for A lu M ni & f rie n ds of T h e u ni v e r siT y of A k ron w w w. ua k ron. edu
| 9 |

( feATure sTory )
Philanthropic Family Continues UA Support
The Suarez family, from left to right:
Sharon, nancy, Benjamin and michelle with husband tim ditty
The Suarez family has once again stepped forward to assist The
University of Akron and its students – its student-athletes, that is.
The 8,000-square-foot Suarez Family Strength and
Conditioning Center in InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field will
provide UA student-athletes a state-of-the-art environment for
training and rehabilitation, including Olympic competition
quality weight lifting and cardio equipment.
In addition, the Suarez family provides summer scholarship
support for student-athletes to allow them to exercise their minds
and enable them to advance academically at a time when their
training demands are greatly reduced.
All of the University’s 19 NCAA sponsored varsity sports
benefit from the support of the Suarez family.
Ben Suarez ’67 and his family support The University of Akron
in many ways. In 2008, Ben, along with his wife, Nancy, and
daughters, Sharon and Michelle, endowed the Benjamin and
Nancy Suarez Applied Marketing Research Laboratories, a oneof-a-kind
teaching and experiential facility.
Alumnus Provides Real Estate in His Will
James L. Fisher was a
gentleman who lived life with a
purpose and an optimism uniquely
his own. A distinguished attorney
who began his career with the
City of Akron, his friends said Jim
could often be found taking midday,
lunchtime walks around the
University campus, talking with
students, interested in learning their points of view. Just as Jim’s
walks kept him in close physical proximity to his hometown
university, his ever-present interest in the life of the University
kept him actively engaged, and made his lasting gift an impactful
and meaningful statement.
Throughout his personal and professional life, Jim enjoyed
all things Akron, the sounds, friends and environs of a
hometown community that made him smile for 65 years. A
well-regarded friend and alumnus of The University of Akron,
Jim earned degrees in civil engineering and law. He retired after
an outstanding career at Buckingham, Doolittle and Burroughs,
which saw him represent the University in a wide range of real
estate matters.
A friend of the University for more than 40 years, Jim’s
affiliation reached a personal high point when he included the
University in his estate plans, gifting his personal residence to
the University. Through his professional expertise, he knew
that gifting his home to the University in this manner removed
a taxable asset from his estate. The University of Akron
Foundation, in turn, sold the property and the proceeds came
to the University for its unrestricted use, per the wishes outlined
in his estate plans.
| 10 |

( feATure sTory )
Longtime Supporters of The University
of Akron Help Students in Need
Jim and Vanita Oelschlager have
been supporters of The University
of Akron for two decades. Their
first gift by the couple and their
independent equity investment
company, Oak Associates, Ltd.,
came in 1991. An additional gift
followed in 1995, and in 2000,
the couple donated $10 million
to establish the Oelschlager
Leadership Awards and its four
scholarships. Jim and Vanita
also established the Oelschlager
Summer Leadership Institute,
a summer program for high
school junior students designed
Jim and Vanita oelschlager to introduce participants to the
skills needed to be successful in
college while offering leadership
development training.
In 2010, the couple donated the Jim and Vanita Oelschlager
Native American Collection to the University. The Oelschlager
Collection is comprised of approximately 800 Native American
items, and will provide UA students with an invaluable learning
experience while expediting faculty and student research.
The couple once again has stepped forward to assist University
of Akron students by offering scholarship assistance for students
in need. Recipients boast cumulative grade point averages of 2.9,
or better, with strong financial need. In all, nearly 70 students
were offered support for the Spring 2011 semester. Many of
the award recipients sent letters of appreciation with thoughtprovoking
messages to the Oelschlagers.
In a 2009 interview, Jim Oelschlager said, “Vanita and I have
been blessed and we want to give back. It is important for people
to get an education, now more than ever. We try to help people
who need the help.”
For their two decades of support to The University of Akron,
Jim and Vanita Oelschlager are true pioneers as they strive to
improve the lives of others through education. Through their
initiatives, they have enabled hundreds of students to attain their
dreams of a college education.
“I am a non-traditional
student, married mother of
five wishing to improve my
family’s quality of life by
helping others as a respiratory
therapist. Because of
Mr. and Mrs. Oelschlager
and their generosity,
I have been able to apply
to the program at UA.”
– Christyn Denson
Christyn and her
husband Robert
Christyn and Robert’s
five children: Front row,
l to r: Lexington and
Londyn. Back row, l to r:
Christian, Brentyn and
Cambria.
A M AgA z in e for A lu M ni & f rie n ds of T h e u ni v e r siT y of A k ron w w w. ua k ron. edu
| 11 |

( feATure sTory )
The Timken Scholarship Program Brings
International Students to UA
The Timken Company, one of the world’s leading
producers of highly engineered antifriction bearings
and related products and services and alloy steel
and components, has its corporate headquarters in
Canton, Ohio and operations in 28 countries on six
continents. Among its team of 20,000 employees are more than
430 University of Akron alumni, and the company has many
retirees who are graduates of the University.
In addition, The Timken Company participates in a robust
co-op program with the University, offering valuable experience
to students from diverse majors such as financial management,
mechanical engineering, computer information systems,
computer science, accounting and international business. The
Timken Foundation of Canton recently $2 million toward a new
engineering building at the University, and has provided support
to the University’s Minority Engineering program.
Another instance of the company’s ties to UA is The Timken
Scholarship Program, which makes available full academic
undergraduate assistance to the sons and daughters of full-time
Timken associates and retirees. In 2010, the scholarship program
translated into approximately $230,000 to the University.
In February of 2011, Timken
finished accepting applications for its
annual scholarship drive. Of the 200 or
so applications received, the program
will award 38 scholarships—ranging
in value from $5,000 to $50,000—to
children of Timken employees who
are graduating from high school this
year. Since 1958, Timken has awarded
approximately 500 scholarships
Feng Yang
totaling some $20 million to the
children of Timken employees.
To gauge the success of The Timken Scholarship
Program, consider Feng Yang, a 2010 University of Akron
graduate recently hired by The Timken Company—a
second-generation Timken employee.
Feng came to The University of Akron from China,
thanks to Timken’s scholarship program. His father,
Jianping Yang, and mother, Guoxian Liu, both worked at
Timken’s bearing manufacturing plant in Yantai, China.
Jianping is still working for Timken as a machinery
repairer, and Guoxian Liu recently retired after more
than 20 years of service to Timken.
Feng came to the United States and The University of Akron in
2005. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting/international
business (double major) from UA in 2009. Feng became a certified
public accountant in November 2010, and received his master’s
degree in accounting from UA in December 2010. His mother
made the journey from China to see Feng receive his master’s
degree. While in the U.S., Guoxian Liu also met the Chairman
of Timken, Ward “Tim” Timken, Jr., and Timken’s CEO,
Jim Griffith, as well as Timken’s Senior Vice President of Human
Resources and Organizational Advancement, Don Walker.
While working on his degrees from UA, Feng completed a twoyear
internship in Timken’s steel division. The internship led to his
full-time hiring at Timken as a Steel Business Associate.
When asked what the Timken International Scholarship meant to
him, Feng said, “The scholarship program provided me so many
opportunities I would not otherwise have had—the opportunity
to study abroad, to get work experience, and be hired at Timken.
It’s such a great program.”
Another University of Akron student and Timken scholarship
recipient, Mihaela Ciupitu, a native of Romania, will join Timken
as a full-time employee after she graduates. She will graduate in
May 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration/
finance and a minor in international business.
guoxian liu, mother of Feng Yang, and retired from timken
with more than 20 years of service, with timken’s Chairman,
Ward J. “tim” timken, Jr.
| 12 |

( feATure sTory )
UA Students Spend Spring Break
Helping New Orleans
university of akron students in front of a home
that they renovated near new orleans.
For one group of UA students, spring break meant long hours in
the sultry, Gulf Coast sun — painting, hammering and sawing.
The students, along with several faculty and staff members —
120 volunteers in all — participated in UA’s alternative spring
break relief efforts, helping to rebuild hurricane-ravaged homes
in the Gulf Coast communities of Acadiana and Calcasieu, near
New Orleans.
Since the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita in 2005, the University has annually organized a trip for
students who want to assist in the region’s rebuilding efforts.
UA partnered with the national nonprofit group, Rebuilding
Together, for this year’s trip.
Students performed an array of activities including putting
down new sub floors, laying new tiles, tearing down and
rebuilding an exterior wall, interior and exterior painting,
plumbing and electrical work, repairing roofs, installing
new bathrooms fixtures, building a handicap ramp, and even
demolishing a home. At Calcasieu they renovated five homes
and a children’s summer camp.
Helping to defray costs for the trip is the $15,600 raised by the
Hearts for Humanity dinner dance and auction in February and
more than $2,000 raised from other sources.
Gratitude a powerful motivator
While no construction experience is necessary, many members
of the UA crew have volunteered on previous trips. And most,
like Craig Wise, agree that the overall experience outweighs long
workdays and the rustic living conditions that come with bunking
at a campground.
This is the third alternative spring break trip for Wise, an
assistant professor of construction engineering technology. He
says the gratitude of Gulf Coast residents is part of what keeps
him returning.
“I believe in the effort — with all the hurricane damage and
poverty in the area, it’s a real gift to us to be able to make a
difference,” said Wise.
But the trip also offered a unique opportunity for the student
volunteers who are construction engineering majors to gain real
life work experience.
“We set it up so they functioned as project managers,”
explained Wise. “They coordinated supply lists, scheduled the
crews and taught the students who have no building skills how
to use the tools safely and handle different tasks. It provided a
wonderful opportunity to develop their leadership skills, so it
became a much deeper experience for them.”
Eric Zarobila would be the first to agree.
The construction engineering major, due to graduate in May,
made his third Gulf Coast trip, as well.
Everyone benefits — especially UA students
“I would describe my experiences as perfect,” said Zarobila. “I’ve
made good friends on the trips and helped families who needed it.
The leadership aspect is really important, too. I’m working with
peers who depend on my knowledge and skills. As a manager, I
have to gain their respect and trust, like any other work situation.”
The continuing interest and support of the alternative spring
break experience is gratifying to Ron McDonald, UA’s director of
leadership, development and special projects.
“In the first five years, 329 volunteers have given more than
13,000 hours of service, and the University community has given
well over $70,000 to help support the effort,” said McDonald.
“Part of our mission as an institution is to help our students
become engaged citizens who will continue to make a difference
in the world. Providing service opportunities is a great way to
reach that goal.”
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| 13 |

cOlleGe NewS
BUCHTEL COLLEGE news
Economic Summit
Featured Alumni
Experts
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTrATION
news
Dr. George E. Prough
Scholarship Fund is
Established
CrEATIVE AND PrOFESSIONAL ArTS
news
Foundation
Supports Arts LIFT
Program
An economic summit, “The Economy:
Expectations, Risks, and Opportunities
2011 and Beyond,” co-hosted by the
Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences and
the College of Business Administration,
was held on March 22. Speakers included
three well-known and distinguished UA
alumni: Sandra Pianalto ’76, president
and chief executive officer of the
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland;
Dennis Gartman ’72, editor and
publisher of the Gartman Letter and
frequent commentator on CNBC; and
Gary Thayer ’73, ’76, chief macro
strategist at Wells Fargo Advisors.
The forum offered a chance for
students and the general public to gain
more understanding from prominent UA
alumni of the economic challenges that
will be faced this year and beyond, and
received national coverage from The Wall
Street Journal, The Washington Post and
CNBC.com, among other media outlets.
The Dr. George E. Prough Scholarship
Fund was established in 2009 with
gifts from former Dean of the CBA
Mr. James W. Barnett, Drs. Roger T.
and Judith A. Read, and other former
students, faculty and friends to show their
appreciation for the professor’s service to
The University of Akron and the CBA.
Dr. Prough retired in 2004 from the
Department of Marketing, where he had
been a faculty member since 1968. He
also served the CBA as Associate Dean of
External Affairs and Community Service
In 1998, President Luis M. Proenza
asked Dr. Prough to lead The University
of Akron’s strategic planning efforts. He
served in this capacity from 1998-2002.
To contribute to the scholarship
fund, contact Chris Burdon, Director
of Development, College of Business
Administration, at 330-612-9566 or
cburdon@uakron.edu.
l to r: Dennis Gartman, Gary Thayer and Sandra Pianalto.
The John S. and
James L. Knight
Foundation
provided a
generous to the
Lola K. Isroff
Arts Assistance
Fund to support
the Arts LIFT
Program.
Arts LIFT,
winner of the 2005 Akron Arts Alliance
Collaborative Project Award and the
Environmental Education Council of
Ohio’s Charley Harper Award, is a
month-long summer arts apprenticeship
program offered to underserved high
school students in Akron Public Schools
by The University of Akron Mary Schiller
Myers School of Art.
According to Elisa Gargarella, art
education associate professor and
director of the program, students are
given an opportunity to work with
prominent artists, art teachers, and local
professionals, while also participating
in a community institution that places
value on environmental and ecological
concerns. Some of the past student
projects included creating rain barrels,
sculptures and unique benches with
custom ceramic mosaics. The projects
are then put on public display.
Community partners include the
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Association in Peninsula, Ohio; the
Cuyahoga Valley Environmental
Education Center in Peninsula; Stan
Hywet Hall and Gardens; Crown Point
Ecology Center; Akron Zoo; and the
City of Akron’s Keep Akron Beautiful
organization.
|14 |

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION news
UA Friend Establishes
Scholarship
Although never a student at The
University of Akron, Virginia Ewald was
a generous supporter of the University.
Prior to her passing away in 2008 at age
93, Ms. Ewald made arrangements to
establish and fund with a gift in her estate
The Virginia Ewald Endowed Scholarship
in Education at The University of Akron.
Ms. Ewald’s scholarship supports the
educational advancement of the next
generation of educators.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEErING news
Donovan Student
Design Center
Nearing Completion
In May 2011, the College of Engineering’s
Margaret F. Donovan Student Design
Center will open with great fanfare.
Margaret F. (Peg) Donovan, for whom
the Student Design Center is named, is
an honorary alumna of The University of
Akron and the lead benefactor in the $1+
million Student Design Center campaign.
In making her gift, Mrs. Donovan noted
that she was pleased to support the
project because UA’s “quality program
requires a first-rate student design center
where engineering design competitions
and senior capstone projects can be
designed, built and tested.”
Retired electrical engineering professor,
Dr. C.F. Chen, and his wife, May (UA
’88), were also drawn to supporting the
project with a gift that named the
May and C.F. Chen Conference and
Design Room. In making their gift,
Dr. and Mrs. Chen stated, “The facility
will serve as a tribute to the hard work of
current and former students whose efforts
have strengthened the reputation of
The University of Akron.”
Others who have donated to the project
include the Timken Foundation of Canton,
Donald T. Britsch ’34, Thomas R. Schidel
’50, John E. Schremp ’77, Jerry H. Welty,
and Robert A. Handelman ’70.
HONOrS COLLEGE news
Honors College
Alumni Board
Since 1979, the Honors College has
graduated over 2,500 alumni. Any alum
who has graduated from UA’s Honors
College is a member of the Honors
College Alumni Board.
The board is recruiting alumni
nationwide to become involved with
the board and participate on committees
for the 2011-12 school year.
To become involved, contact the
Honors College Alumni Board at
uahonorsalumni@gmail.com.
Also check out the Alumni Board’s
Facebook page and the alumni page
of the Honors College website
(www.uakron.edu/honors/) for
information on upcoming alumni events.
HEALTH SCIENCES AND HUMAN SErVICES
news
Food for Thought
A new degree program at The University
of Akron is helping to meet the evolving
needs of the food industry. UA’s new
Bachelor of Science in Food and
Environmental Nutrition is designed
to address strong national demand
for expertise in food and nutrition,
employment needs of food manufacturers
and related businesses, and growing
consumer interest in food safety and
locally grown resources.
For more information, contact the
UA School of Family and Consumer
Sciences at 330-972-7721 or
SchoolofFCS@uakron.edu.
SCHOOL OF LAW news
Scholarship Fulfills
a Dream
Scott E. Stilley designed a direct path to law
school following completion of his degree
in political science in 1989 at Youngstown
State University. His dream was on the
horizon until a car accident took his life.
In honor of their son, Emerson Stilley Jr.
and Marilyn Stilley created the Scott E.
Stilley Memorial Foundation. The Stilley
Memorial Scholarship offers tuition
assistance to graduates of Youngstown
State University with political science
or related degrees matriculating to The
University of Akron School of Law.
“The Stilley Memorial Foundation
incorporates the educational ambition of
my cousin, Scott,” said Dr. Lori Stilley,
president of the Scott E. Stilley Memorial
Foundation. “Helping students akin to
Scott lets us know that our uncle and
aunt’s legacy will make a real difference in
another person’s life.”
Front row, l to r: Stilley Scholars Cletus M. Pulliam and
Jeffrey S. Moliterno
Back row, l to r: Lauri S. Thorpe, Assistant Dean,
Law Admissions and Student Affairs and Martin H. Belsky,
Dean and Randolph Baxter Professor of Law
A M AgA z in e for A lu M ni & f rie n ds of T h e u ni v e r siT y of A k ron w w w. ua k ron. edu
| 15 |

cOlleGe NewS
COLLEGE OF NUrSING news
Nursing Professor
Endowed Lecture
Evelyn M. Tovey, former faculty member
at UA’s College of Nursing, bequeathed
to the college a gift in 2004 to benefit
the Dean’s Distinguished Lectureship,
an annual event that brings a renowned
nursing leader to campus to deliver a
formal lecture and meet with student
and faculty groups to discuss nursing
leadership and trends in health care.
This year, the College of Nursing
celebrated the 13th Annual
Distinguished Lecture Series on
March 23. The distinguished lecturer
was Joanne Disch, PhD, RN, FAAN, a
Clinical Professor and Director of the
Katharine J. Densford International Center
for Nursing Leadership and the University
Of Minnesota School Of Nursing.
Tovey’s forward thinking supports
the College of Nursing in sustaining key
initiatives in to meet the college’s vision to
provide excellent academic programs and
promote student success and will provide
outstanding learning opportunities for today
and tomorrow’s nurses for years to come.
COLLEGE OF POLYMEr SCIENCE AND
POLYMEr ENGINEErING news
Bridgestone
Americas Provides
Equipment for
Polymer Research
The Akron-based Bridgestone Americas
Center for Research and Technology
(BART) has provided close to $500,000
in scientific-use X-ray equipment to The
University of Akron College of Polymer
Science and Polymer Engineering in
exchange for $1 from UA’s senior vice
president, provost and chief operating
officer, Dr. Michael Sherman.
“The X-ray equipment is key to
our polymer materials structures and
morphological research,” said Dr. Stephen
Z.D. Cheng, dean of the College of
Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering.
“Our donation of this equipment to
The University of Akron reflects our
commitment to this community and
the cooperative and close relationship
between UA and Bridgestone Americas,”
said BART Vice President of Research
Bob Handlos.
SUMMIT COLLEGE news
Hospitality Program
Partners With China
Jamal Feerasta, professor of hospitality
management in Summit College,
conducted seminars on the hospitality
industry in China at Sias International
University in Xin Zheng and Henan
University in Kaifeng in December, 2010.
Feerasta presented two-day workshops
for undergraduate and graduate students
in the tourism and hotel management
programs.
Jamal Feerasta, UA professor of hospitality
management, with students at Henan University
“It’s important for colleges and
universities to form partnerships around
the world. This will satisfy the need for
trained supervisors and managers in the
growing hospitality industry,” said Stanley
Silverman, dean of UA’s Summit College.
WAYNE COLLEGE news
MBA Program at
Medina County
University Center,
Wayne College
The University of Akron’s College of
Business Administration will launch
its first cohort of students in Fall 2011
for the weekend Master of Business
Administration. Students can take courses
taught by full-time MBA faculty from UA
using distance learning technologies at the
Medina County University Center and
Wayne College every other Saturday. The
in-class experiences will be supplemented
and enhanced with online technology.
In addition, during lunch each Saturday,
the MBA cohort students will have the
opportunity to speak with a panel of
business executives in an informal
question and answer session.
For more information, contact
Denise Testa, Associate Director at the
Medina County University Center, at
330.721.2213 or dtesta@uakron.edu.
| 16 |

cAmPUS NewS
Civil Engineering Students Take to the Water
University of Akron College of Engineering students will join
many of the region’s top engineering students to compete in the
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Ohio Valley Student
Conference. Hosted this year by UA, the students will build and
design concrete canoes, steel bridges, water treatment centers,
AutoCAD designs and more at the April 14-16 competition.
Schools from three states to compete
Students from UA, Ohio State University University, University
of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical College, Cleveland State
University, University of Dayton, Ohio University, Stark State
College, Youngstown State University, University of Kentucky,
Geneva College, Western Kentucky University, Carnegie Mellon
University, University of Pittsburgh and University of Louisville
will compete in seven different civil engineering categories.
The steel bridge teams will design and fabricate 1/10 models
(about 20 feet long) of a steel bridge. This year’s design of a
cantilevered-style steel bridge challenges students in construction
speed and economy, lightness, stiffness, structural efficiency and
overall performance and, as a tie breaker, aesthetics. The UA
Steel Bridge Team placed first in this regional competition for the
past two years and fifth in the 2010 national competition.
The concrete canoe competition challenges students to
design a lightweight, concrete watercraft focused on the theme,
sustainability. Once teams design their concrete, each construct
a 20-foot canoe following required specifications. Teams are
judged on a technical paper, oral presentation, aesthetics, various
races and canoe durability. Last year, UA’s Concrete Canoe Team
placed first in the regional competition and ninth at nationals.
The environmental competition challenges students to
demonstrate a treatment process that creatively and sustainably
treats a “real” drinking water source by reducing the water’s
elevated manganese levels and turbidity.
Realistic contests planned
Meanwhile, teams in the surveying competition will demonstrate
their proficiency with land surveying techniques after they are
presented with a proposed construction site plan showing the
detailed location of various building elements.
Students in the AutoCAD competition will creatively design
a fast-food restaurant site sketch, working with property limits,
a building footprint, dumpster and menu board layouts. In
another contest, the balsa wood bridge competition, teams will
create a bridge, preferably truss or beam, that follows design
specifications.
Finally, students will compete in an ethics paper contest
focused on the topic “Ethics and the ASCE Report Card for
America’s Infrastructure.”
Members of the 2010 UA Concrete Canoe Team edge past the competition.
A M AgA z in e for A lu M ni & f rie n ds of T h e u ni v e r siT y of A k ron
| 17 |

cAmPUS NewS
UA’s Diversity Council Among Top 25 in Nation
The University of Akron has one of the best 25 diversity councils in
the nation.
Joining UA on the elite list are such major corporations as Best
Buy, Boeing, Prudential, American Airlines and Siemens. UA is
the only university to make the list. The list was compiled by the
Association of Diversity Councils from applications submitted by
corporations, governmental agencies and universities nationwide.
Lee Gill, UA’s associate vice president for inclusion and equity/
chief diversity officer, said the University was selected because of the
concrete steps it has taken to move toward being a more inclusive
campus.
“I’m told that two points stood out in our application,” Gill said.
“First, our council is comprised of decision makers from across
campus and the Akron community, which demonstrates a strong
commitment by the administration. Second, the strategic plan for the
Office of Inclusion and Equity is comprehensive and unusual in its
reach and its depth.”
Appointed by President Proenza in December 2008, the council —
led by Gill and Marty Belsky, dean of the School of Law — is at the
core of the strategic plan.
Early on, the council recommended that additional academic
advisers were needed to increase the retention and graduation
rates of students from underrepresented populations. The Office of
Academic Affairs acted on the recommendation, and a number of
new advisers have been hired.
The council also initiated the first Greater Akron Supplier Diversity
Conference in May 2010. Relationships established during the
conference — sponsored by UA, KSU, the city, Summa Health
System, Bridgestone/Firestone and others — will help ensure that UA
continues to purchase products and services from diverse suppliers.
UA and the other 24 organizations on the Association of Diversity
Councils’ list of the top diversity councils were honored at an April
ceremony in Atlanta.
ua’S diVErSitY CounCil mEmBErS
martin h. Belsky, J.D., Dean of the School of Law, and
lee a. gill, J.D., AVP for Inclusion & Equity/CDO, lead the
council together.
Other members include:
dr. linda ruth Barrett, UA’s Associate Professor of
Geography and Planning, Faculty/Union-AAUP
ms. roxia B. Boykin, M.P.A., R.N., Vice President,
Community Benefits and Diversity, Summa Health
System Foundation
dr. Charles J. Fey, UA’s Vice President for Student
Engagement and Success
dr. douglas r. hausknecht, UA’s Associate Professor,
Marketing and International Business
mr. gordon holly, Senior Director, Student Life and
Enrollment Management, Wayne College
dr. Willis l. lonzer, iii, Abbott Laboratories, Inc.
dr. Chand midha, UA’s Associate Provost for Academic
and Financial Affairs, and Dean of the Buchtel College of
Arts and Sciences
ms. diane miller-dawson, Director of Finance, Office of the
Mayor, the City of Akron
ms. Barbara o’malley, UA’s Associate Vice President for
Communications and Chief Communications Officer
dr. ramona ortega-liston, UA’s Associate Professor, Public
Administration and Urban Studies
dr. daisy l. alford-Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the
Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio
mr. Stanley B. Silverman, UA’s Associate Provost and Dean,
Summit College, and Dean, University College
dr. harvey l. Sterns, UA’s Professor of Psychology and Director
of the Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology
mr. Steven g. Sedlock, President of Associated Student
Government
dr. Zachery r. Williams, UA’s Associate Director,
Pan African Studies
dr. n. margaret Wineman, Dean, UA’s College of Nursing
mr. thomas Wistrcill, Director, UA’s Intercollegiate Athletics
dr. Sheldon Wrice, Chair & Professor of Technical
Writing and Comp., UA’s Department of Associate Studies,
Summit College
Martin H. Belsky, J.D., (left) Dean of the School of Law, and
lee a. gill, J.D., AVP for Inclusion & Equity/CDO
dr. Julie Yuhua Zhao, Director of Increasing Diversity
in Engineering Academics (IDEAS) Program, UA’s College
of Engineering
| 18 |

UA’s Center for Child Development
Earns National Accreditation
The Center for Child Development (CCD) through The
University of Akron’s College of Education, jointly sponsored
with the College of Health Sciences and Human Services
(HSHS), has earned accreditation from the National Association
for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the nation’s
leading organization of early childhood professionals. The
accreditation is valid for the next five years.
To earn NAEYC accreditation, the CCD went through
an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and
its services against the 10 NAEYC early childhood program
standards and more than 400 related accreditation criteria. The
program received NAEYC accreditation after an on-site visit by
NAEYC assessors. The CCD received an excellent rating meeting
all standards and criterion.
Yetty Michael, center director, and Sophia Kraus, associate
director (HSHS), along with their staff, have worked diligently
over the past three years in preparing the CCD to achieve this
accomplishment.
“The staff worked relentlessly to ensure a smooth
accreditation process. Through their efforts and dedication,
we achieved very high standards,” said Michael. “NAEYC
accreditation lets families in our community know that children
in our program are getting the best care and early learning
experiences possible.”
the CCd was assessed on such standards as:
» relationships between the children and adults;
» curriculum;
» quality of the teachers and their teaching practices;
» relationships with families;
» promotion of health and nutrition;
» community relationships;
» the indoor and outdoor physical environment; and
» leadership and management.
The National Association for the Education of Young
Children (NAEYC) is dedicated to improving the well-being
of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of
educational and developmental services for all children from
birth through age 8. NAEYC is committed to becoming an
increasingly high performing and inclusive organization.
Founded in 1926, NAEYC is the world’s largest organization
working on behalf of young children with nearly 80,000
members, a national network of over 300 local, state, and
regional affiliates, and a growing global alliance of like-minded
organizations.
A M AgA z in e for A lu M ni & f rie n ds of T h e u ni v e r siT y of A k ron w w w. ua k ron. edu
| 19 |

cAmPUS NewS
New Executive Director of Taylor Institute and Suarez Laboratories
Kathleen Kennedy brings three decades
of business experience to her new role as
executive director of the Taylor Institute
for Direct Marketing and the Suarez
Applied Marketing Research Laboratories
at The University of Akron.
Her experience and expertise, including
strategic planning, brand development
Kathleen Kennedy and management, customer experience
management, loyalty marketing and marketing research, will
serve students in the College of Business Administration well
as they prepare for their careers. The Taylor Institute and
the Suarez Laboratories, located in the Polsky Building, are
unique learning and research environments — not just for
undergraduate and graduate students, but for faculty and the
business community as well.
Gifts from alumni continually benefit students
UA alumni Gary L. Taylor, founder and chairman of InfoCision
Management Corporation, and his wife Karen established
the Taylor Institute in 2004. Its curriculum is focused on
the ever-changing world of marketing in such areas as direct
marketing management, integrated marketing communications
and telemarketing services. UA students benefit from working
firsthand with the Taylor Institute’s external client base, and the
institute also provides conferences, seminars and certification
programs for the direct marketing industry.
UA alumnus Benjamin Suarez, CEO of Suarez Corporation
Industries, and his wife Nancy established the Suarez
Laboratories in 2008. Designed as a one-of-a-kind marketing
research, teaching and experiential learning facility, students
and faculty today use its resources to develop and translate
knowledge into useful intelligence for the business community.
At the Suarez Laboratories, for example, students use such
state-of-the-art techniques as eye tracking to better understand
respondents’ real time feelings, impressions and emotions toward
marketing messages and products.
The missions of both facilities are what drew Kennedy to UA.
“Over the course of my career, some of the things I’ve been
most passionate about are developing a better understanding
of consumer motivation and behavior, creating direct and
interactive communications that build customer relationships
and sales, and promoting best practices in direct marketing,”
said Kennedy, who earned an MBA at the University of Miami
and a B.A. at the University of Delaware.
Enhanced marketing and business education
“One of my chief goals in leading the Taylor Institute and the
Suarez Laboratories is to provide UA students with real-world
marketing experiences by building bridges between our students
and the professional community,” Kennedy continued. “I am
equally committed to providing UA students and faculty with
access to the latest integrated marketing techniques, and to
information and technology to enhance their marketing and
business education.”
Prior to joining The University of Akron, Kennedy held senior
marketing positions with several major corporations, including
Broadway Stores/Federated Department Stores, Office Depot
and Hancock Fabrics, and held senior positions at leading direct
and interactive agencies, including OgilvyOne, the direct and
interactive marketing division of Ogilvy & Mather.
Kennedy is also a successful entrepreneur, and has had
extensive experience in building public-private partnerships
that foster economic growth through entrepreneurship. She
served as the founding executive director of the Center for
Innovative Entrepreneurship, a nonprofit research and education
organization dedicated to understanding the economic value
of entrepreneurs and fostering business development through
innovation.
More collaborative research under way
“We’re very pleased to have Kathleen Kennedy heading this
initiative, which brings together our students and faculty as
well as the Northeast Ohio business community to focus on
applying innovative approaches to integrated marketing and
advanced market research,” said Ravi Krovi, dean of the
College of Business Administration. “She is already leading a
major collaborative research effort with faculty to apply and
integrate advanced biometric, neurological and neural computing
technology in advertising, branding and media testing.”
Kennedy’s arrival also is welcomed by Stan Silverman, dean of
Summit College. Many of the college’s departments, along with
the Taylor Institute and the Suarez Laboratories, are located in
the Polsky Building.
“One of the University’s most important goals is to
continually add value to the educational experiences of all of our
students,” noted Silverman. “I believe Kathleen Kennedy’s vast
experience in corporate leadership and as an entrepreneur will
help us to do just that.”
| 20 |

SIdelINeS
Men’s Basketball
Women’s Basketball
Swimming & Diving
The University of Akron men’s basketball
team, behind Mid-American Conference
Tournament MVP Zeke Marshall,
defeated rival Kent State 66-65 in
overtime on March 12 to claim the MAC
Tournament championship and earn the
conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA
Tournament. The MAC Tournament
title is the second for the Zips (23-12) in
the last three years and third in program
history (1986).
Marshall broke the school and MAC
Tournament record with nine blocks. He
contributed nine points and 13 rebounds.
He was joined on the all-tournament team
by senior forward Brett McKnight, who
had 15 points. Senior guard Steve McNees
had 14 points.
The Zips received the No. 15 seed in
the Southwest Region, and faced No. 2
seed Notre Dame on March 18 in the
second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Zips fell to the Irish, 69-56. Quincy
Diggs led Akron with 11 points.
For the second-straight season,
University of Akron men’s basketball head
coach Keith Dambrot was named one of
five finalists for the 2011 Red Auerbach
College Coach of the Year Award.
The University of Akron women’s No.
8 seeded basketball team (13-15, 6-10
MAC) advanced to the quarterfinals of
the FirstEnergy Mid-American Conference
Tournament with a 76-65 win over
Western Michigan (9-20, 5-11) on
March 5 at James A. Rhodes Arena.
The Zips then faced No. 1 seed Toledo
on March 9 at Quicken Loans Arena
in Cleveland.
Despite a valiant effort by The
University of Akron women’s basketball
team, Toledo hung on to beat the Zips
73-65 in the Mid-American Conference
Tournament quarterfinals. Akron
concludes its season with a 14-16 overall
record and a 6-10 mark in league play.
Senior Kara Murphy scored 14 points
in her final game, ending her career
as the Zips’ all-time leading scorer with
1,777 total points.
Four Zips received Mid-American
Conference honors this season. Sophomore
Rachel Tecca became just the third player
in program history to make the All-MAC
First Team. Kara Murphy, Akron’s
lone senior, earned Honorable Mention
honors. Carly Young was named to the
All-Freshman Team, and junior Jasmine
Mushington was named Co-Sixth Player
of the Year.
The University of Akron swimming and
diving program completed action at the
NCAA Zone Diving Championships in
Columbus on March 11 with freshman
Carla McNamara taking 18th place
in the day’s only event - the 1-meter
springboard.
McNamara dove a 259.05 in the
prelims to qualify for the finals of the
event and would go on to finish 18th in
her first NCAA Zone meet. McNamara
finished 17th in Thursday’s 3-meter
springboard event.
Rifle
The University of Akron rifle team closed
out its 2010-11 season over the weekend
of February 25, competing in the Western
Intercollegiate Rifle Conference (WIRC)
and Mid-Atlantic Rifle Conference (MAC)
championships.
In the WIRC smallbore division, Akron
slipped into third place behind Ohio State
and second-place Morehead State. In the
MAC smallbore and air rifles, the Zips
finished the season in second place,
behind Navy.
A M AgA z in e for A lu M ni & f rie n ds of T h e u ni v e r siT y of A k ron w w w. ua k ron. edu
ZeKe MarSHaLL
Kara MUrPHy
CarLa MCNaMara
LUKe NeLSON
Photo Courtesy: Justin Casterline
Photo Courtesy: Ernie Aranyosi
Photo Courtesy: Ernie Aranyosi
Photo Courtesy: Scott Horstman
| 21 |

AlUmNI NewS
The Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Awards 2011
The College of Business Administration Alumni Association
established this honor in 1987 to recognize distinguished alumni
in the name of a fellow alumnus, dedicated professor, friend and
a legend in the College of Business Administration. Dr. Simonetti
is remembered for his outstanding contributions to the city of
Akron, the University, his students and colleagues.
The 2011 Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni winners are:
Tom DeBord, president of Summa
Barberton and Summa Wadsworth-
Rittman Hospitals. Tom received a
bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1985
and an MBA in finance in 1992, both from
The University of Akron. Tom began his
hospital administration career at Barberton
Citizens Hospital in 1988 as director of general accounting. He
was named COO in 2002 and became COO for both Summa
Barberton and Summa Wadsworth-Rittman hospitals in 2008.
Tom was named president of Summa Barberton Hospital and
Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital in 2010. Tom and his
wife, Diane, provide support for scholarships in UA’s College of
Business Administration.
Dominic “Nick” Gonnella, partner, tax
management consulting at Deloitte Tax,
LLP. Nick received his B.S. in accounting in
1982 and his Master of Taxation degree in
1991, both from The University of Akron.
He is a tax partner with Deloitte and
currently serves as Deloitte’s US and Global
Tax Management Consultant Leader. He is a former member of
the School of Accountancy Advisory Board and with his wife,
Kathy, has supported the Deloitte Touche Scholarship through
the College of Business Administration.
Sean P. Hennessy, senior vice president,
finance & CFO of The Sherwin-
Williams Company. Sean earned his B.S.
in accounting from The University of
Akron in 1980. He began his career with
Sherwin-Williams in 1984 and has been
instrumental in the development of the
strategies and global growth platforms that have helped make
Sherwin-Williams the global success it is today. Prior to holding
this position, Sean served as treasurer of Sherwin-Williams
Company from August 2001 to August 2002. He and his wife,
Becky, support the College of Business Administration.
Robert G. Nemer, retired senior vice
president of Society Corp. Robert earned
his B.S.B.A. in management from The
University of Akron in 1953. While at
the University, he was a member of the
baseball team, Pi Kappa Epsilon fraternity,
and Army ROTC. He was a student of
Dr. Simonetti.
Robert joined Firestone in 1963 in Industrial Relations and
was later named corporate director of personnel in 1974. In
1978, he became vice president of personnel administration
for the Financial Services Holding Company. He retired from
Society Corp. in 1989 as executive vice president after serving
in that capacity since 1982. Upon retirement in 1989, Robert
taught night classes in the College of Business Administration
alongside Dr. Frank Simonetti.
Robert served on The University of Akron National Alumni
Board of Directors and was a member of the College of Business
Administration Advancement Council. He was a charter
member of the College of Business Alumni Board and developed
the vision of the annual Simonetti breakfast to recognize alumni
and raise funds for scholarships for CBA students. A charter
member of Varsity A, he and his wife, Marion, support the
University, particularly in the area of Athletics and the College
of Business Administration.
Laura K. Thompson, vice president finance,
North American Tire, The Goodyear Tire
& Rubber Company. Laura graduated with
her B.S. in accounting in 1987 and her
MBA in finance in 1992, both from The
University of Akron.
Laura began her career with
Goodyear in 1983 while still in undergraduate school at the
University. She served in financial and accounting capacities
until being named finance manager for Research and
Development in 1997. In 2000, she became director of Investor
Relations and in 2002, the finance director for North America
Tire’s Consumer tire business. In 2003, she was named director
of Business Development for North American Tire and in 2005
was appointed vice president of Business Development. In 2008,
she was named an officer of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Company. Laura is a current member of the College of Business
Administration’s Advancement Council.
| 22 |

2011 Distinguished College of Education Alumni Awards
The University of Akron’s College of Education honored
outstanding alumni at its annual Distinguished Alumni
Awards Dinner on April 12. The honorees were chosen for
their achievements in the education field and significant
contributions to their community.
This year’s honorees include:
Alise Bartley, founder and president of
The Relationship Center of Northeast
Ohio. Alise received her Ph.D. from
The University of Akron in the area of
counselor education and supervision with
a specialization in marriage and family
therapy in 2005. As a doctoral student,
she served as treasurer and founding member of The Society
for the Advancement of Marriage and Family Counseling/
Therapy (SAMFCT), a graduate student group. Dr. Bartley also
serves as a senior lecturer in the Department of Counseling at
the University, and is a research associate in the Cardiovascular
Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute at Summa Health
Systems.
Philomena Vincente, Elementary Principal
at Leggett Community Learning Center
(CLC), Akron Public Schools, received
her master’s in education administration
from The University of Akron in 1972.
Philomena was named Division Teacher
of the Year in 1996 by the Akron Public
Schools and received the Engagement Award by The University
Park Alliance in 2006 for her role in the relationship between
the community and Leggett CLC. She also collaborated with
the Office of Student Affairs at The University of Akron to
create the ‘Trunk or Treat’ and Neighborhood Watch programs.
Philomena and her husband, Tony, support scholarship funds
in the College of Education and the College of Business
Administration.
Dr. Diane Vukovich, Director Emeritus
of the Department of Developmental
Programs at The University of Akron,
earned her Ph.D. from The University of
Akron in 1975. She has more than 40 years
of teaching and administrative experience
in both the public schools and at the
university level. At The University of Akron she served on both
University Council and Faculty Senate. She was faculty advisor
to Beta Lambda Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta and received the
International Faculty Advisor of the Year Award.
She and her husband, Dr. Thomas J. Vukovich, Associate
Provost Emeritus for Student Affairs at The University of
Akron, remain connected to the University. They have cochaired
the Faculty/Staff Capital Campaign, continue to plan
programs for the Association of The University of Akron
Retirees and have established an endowed scholarship at
the University for undergraduate students planning to teach
mathematics or science.
Dean’s Award Recipient
Dr. Conrad C. Ott,
Superintendent Emeritus,
Akron Public Schools, died
March 29, 2010, leaving
behind an unmatched
legacy of commitment and
accomplishment in the field of
education.
Dr. Ott received a Bachelor
of Arts degree from Eastern
Kentucky State University in
1948 and a Master of Arts
degree in 1949 from the
University of Kentucky. He
Dr. Conrad C. Ott
completed additional graduate
coursework at The University of Akron, Syracuse University
and Rhode Island University. In 1949, Dr. Ott began a sixteenyear
association with the Jefferson County Schools in Louisville,
Kentucky. In 1965, Dr. Ott became Superintendent of Schools
in Lexington, Kentucky. In 1966, he assumed the role of
Superintendent of the Akron Public Schools and concluded his
service in 1991, after a period of 25 years. Under his leadership,
the Akron Public Schools received an A+ evaluation from the
Ohio Department of Education in 1987. In 1991, Dr. Ott was
appointed to direct the Center for the Study of Urban Education
at The University of Akron and was awarded an Honorary
Doctorate of Humane Letters degree that same year.
A M AgA z in e for A lu M ni & f rie n ds of T h e u ni v e r siT y of A k ron w w w. ua k ron. edu
| 23 |

AlUmNI NewS
2011 Distinguished College of Engineering Alumni Awards
The University of Akron’s College of Engineering honored its 2011
distinguished alumni at a recognition ceremony on April 13.
This year’s honorees include:
Larry Allen, retired vice president
of Environmental, Health, Safety &
Quality at Air Products and Chemicals
Incorporated. Larry earned his Chemical
Engineering degree from The University of
Akron in 1970.
In 1978, Larry joined Air Products and
Chemicals and over his 30-year career,
held a broad range of managerial positions before being named
vice president. Among his achievements is becoming the first
European operations director for Chemicals Manufacturing in
1992, located in Manchester, England.
Larry and his wife, Susan, created The Larry Allen
Scholarship in Engineering Excellence. The couple also supports
the College of Engineering and the Department of Chemical
Engineering, as well as other accounts and memorial funds.
John Jones, president & CEO, Dart
Engineering, LLC. John earned
his bachelor’s degree in mechanical
engineering in 1972 from The University
of Akron where he participated in the
cooperative education program as well
as Air Force ROTC, Phi Kappa Tau
fraternity, and Sigma Tau Engineering
honorary.
John is currently the president and CEO of Dart Engineering
LLC, a professional engineering firm. From 1995 through
2000, John was president and CEO of one of Florida’s largest
construction firms, DCC Constructors, Inc., which specializes in
commercial and multi-family construction. He was named vice
chairman in 2000 and has remained a director of the company.
John has served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force Civil
Engineers, and received numerous awards and decorations
during his military service, including the United States
Meritorious Service Medal, the U.S. Air Force Commendation
Medal, and the Korean Defense Service Medal.
James Titmas, Chairman of the Board,
GeneSyst International Inc. James earned
his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
from The University of Akron in 1960
where he was a member of Pershing Rifles,
ROTC Advanced – Army, and Scabbard &
Blade. After college, James served more than
three years in the U.S. Army as an Airborne
Ranger officer in the Corps of Engineers.
While a student, James began work on the use of oxidation
with heat as a broad-spectrum method of waste destruction.
Since that time James has continued to champion the cause to
end the practice of burial/land storage and has more than 54
years of experience in the waste treatment industry.
James began his career in consulting engineering in 1963 in
municipal electric power generation. From 1968 to 1977, James
was responsible for the civil and sanitary engineering services
division for Hale and Kullgren, Inc. He has owned a consulting
firm from 1977 to present and much of this time has been spent
on public speaking, seminar presentations and expert witness
testimony in litigation involving civil, structural, foundation,
and sanitary engineering matters.
In 1997, James became CEO and Chairman of the Board of
Genesyst International, Inc., which specializes in the marketing,
construction, operation, licensing, and franchising of gravity
vessel pressure waste conversion systems, also known as the
Titmas Process.
parents of five of the six children in this photo are alumni of
the university of akron! Children in the picture, left to right:
The Next Generation of Zips
Ben Kessler (mom Cory Kessler and dad Nate Kessler)
Craig Lawrence (mom Jennifer Lawrence - MA in Education ’06;
dad Mike Lawrence - MS in Political Science ’03)
Noelle, Hallie and Ella Lawrence (mom Chris Lawrence - AA in Criminal
Justice ’01; mom Tia Lawrence)
Abby Lawrence (sister of Craig, mom and dad Jennifer ’06 and
Mike ’03 Lawrence)
Grandparents are David and Susan Witt, both professors in the School of Family
and Consumer Sciences. Susan has a BA in Family Development ’88, MA in Child
Development ’90, and PhD in Education ’95, all from The University of Akron.
| 24 |

1940s
tula Serves, BSED ’45, is Ms. Senior Ohio.
1950s
glen Sheets, BSED ’59, is the Suburbanite’s
Veteran of the Week.
1960s
Juris upatnieks, BSEE ’60, was presented the
Emmett N. Leith Award by the Optical Society of
America for recognition of seminal contributions to
the field of optical information processing.
1970s
Class Notes
gust Callas, BSA ’75, JD ’78,
attorney at Black McCuskey
Law Firm, was selected for
inclusion in Super Lawyers,
Corporate Counsel Edition
in July and November
2010. Callas is also a dual
certified specialist in the
State of Ohio in Labor & Employment and Workers’
Compensation.
J. thomas henretta, BA ’68, JD ’75, has been
selected by his peers as an Ohio Super Lawyer for
the eighth consecutive year.
Babcock & Wilcox Power
Generation Group, Inc. (B&W
PGG) has named ronald
B. Johnson, MSCE ’76,
an engineer and technical
consultant at B&W PGG’s
Barberton headquarters, as
the recipient of its 32nd
Engineering Honors Award.
Stark & Knoll Co., L.P.A. is
honored to announce that
philip S. Kaufmann, JD ’71,
was selected by Ohio Super
Lawyers magazine as a 2011
Ohio Super Lawyer in the
area of Estate Planning and
Probate.
michael d. mackin, BSBA ’76, has been
promoted within PNC Financial Services Group Inc.
Send your Class Notes and photographs to alumni@uakron.edu
Ernst & Young LLP announced
new leadership appointments
as Northeast Ohio managing
partner, don misheff,
BSA ’78, will retire effective
December 31, 2011.
Steven o. pittman, BS ’77, a certified public
accountant, has been named managing partner of
Bruner-Cox.
robert S. Vargo, BSIM ’73, recently retired after
30 years employment with the Department of
Defense, serving for the last 17 years as program
integrator for the U.S. Army M1 Abrams Main Battle
Tank, manufactured at Joint Systems Center in
Lima, OH.
1980s
John E. anderson, BSBA ’85, was recently
promoted to director of new business development
at Schield Family Brands – Weather Shield Mfg.,/
Peachtree Doors & Windows.
John Batcho, BSA ’83, BSBA ’83, has been
promoted within Chase Bank.
Sandy Bender, AAS ’81,
founded award-winning
Storage Solutions in 1991.
Today, the company is
VERSIA, having been
re-launched with a new
brand identity after a highly
successful 20-year history
in business filing, storage and modular millworks
design solutions for companies throughout the
United States.
lisa Birklund, BASW ’86, MA’88, has been named
regional director of Ohio operations with Grace
Hospice, a division of U.S. Medical Management.
The Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of
East Central Ohio is pleased to announce the recent
appointment of dawn Campanelli, BA ’88, BA ’88,
as its new President.
greg Crouse, BSA ’82, chronicles historic sports
venues in the book, “Where Cleveland Played:
Sports Shrines from League Park to the Coliseum.”
Ernst & Young LLP
announced new leadership
appointments to its Northeast
Ohio practice—Edward
Eliopoulos, BSA ’80, will
become the Akron office
managing partner.
randall Frame, AAS ’82, BS ’88, has been
named regional president of Toledo Edison for
FirstEnergy Corp.
Nursing alumna Judith hall, BSN ’83, is the new
director of clinical research at Regulatory and
Quality Solutions.
Jeffrey Kaiser, BS ’85, officially became Haven of
Rest’s executive director on January 3, 2011.
patrick Keating, JD ’83, was named Debtor Rights
Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers, a national peerreview
publisher.
Kenneth Knight, BA ’87, has been named senior
consultant at Matrix Integrated Solutions.
richard Kuhn, JD ’80, has been elected president
of Community Legal Aid Services and Northeast
Ohio Legal Services.
michelle lee, AAS ’85, is the new Kent
police chief.
lloyd macadam, BS ’85, has been named deputy
director of Ohio Department of Transportation
District 11.
Elizabeth J. mahoney, PhD ’85, will retire from
her post as principal at Parma’s Green Valley
Elementary School.
Best Lawyers, the oldest
and most respected
peer-review publication
in the legal profession,
has named Stark & Knoll
Attorney Craig S. marshall,
BSA ’82, JD ’86, MT ’86,
as the Best Lawyers 2011
Akron Corporate Lawyer of the Year.
Katherine miracle, BA ’87, BA ’87, author,
entrepreneur and college professor, works with
students, clients and audience members who have
skill and talent but often hold themselves back from
success due to the shadows they carry. Katherine
authored “Discovering Your Dawn.” Katherine was
also awarded Best Speaker by CBC Magazine CCA
Awards.
A M AgA z in e for A lu M ni & f rie n ds of T h e u ni v e r siT y of A k ron w w w. ua k ron. edu
| 25 |

AlUmNI NewS
robert paduchik, BA ’89, who managed Senator
Rob Portman’s successful 2010 campaign and
President George W. Bush’s 2004 re-election effort
in Ohio, has been named vice president of the
American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity.
The MacArthur Foundation’s
Models for Change initiative
honored Judge linda tucci
teodosio, BSE ’80, JD ’82,
as a Champion for Change in
juvenile justice reform for her
work at the Summit County
Juvenile Court. She was
recognized at the 5th Annual Models for Change
National Conference in Washington, D.C. on
December 7th for her work to improve the lives of
youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
nikki (Jordan) thorpe, BA ’87, joins the CCO
(Coalition for Christian Outreach), a nonprofit
organization located in Pittsburgh, PA. Nikki is the
administrative assistant for the chief
operating officer.
patricia Valentic, BSIM ’81, MBA ’85, has been
promoted to senior associate for SS&G Wealth
Management.
marsha dean Walker, BSTE ’89, is the
president of M. Dean Walker and Associates, a
comprehensive coaching/consulting firm.
1990s
daniel Wubah, MS ’88,
vice president and dean for
Undergraduate Education at
Virginia Tech, was recently
elected to the Southern
Association of Colleges and
Schools Commission on
Colleges Board of Trustees.
robert E. Bush, Jr., JD ’90, has been
appointed director of the Department of Job and
Family Services.
angela marie Chapman,
BSE ’97, recently graduated
from TSU in December 2010
with a doctoral degree in
education.
Scott h. Coleman, BSIM ’90, has been named
general manager of Great Lakes Works, U.S. Steel’s
integrated steelmaking facility in Ecorse and River
Rouge, MI.
george deBord, BSA ’91, was chosen to fill a
vacant seat on the Woodridge Local School District
Board of Education.
rebecca doherty, BS ’87, JD ’91, will be the new
chief of the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office
criminal division.
James Fahey, BSIM ’93,
has been promoted to chief
information officer at Hill,
Barth & King LLC – a top
100 accounting firm. He is
also a Central Committee
member of the Stark County
Republican Party.
michael Farley, BA ’98, has been named assistant
director of Legislative Affairs by Ohio Lieutenant
Governor and Department of Insurance Director
Mary Taylor. Michael will lead the department’s
legislative program, regularly interfacing with the
Ohio General Assembly, government agencies, and
other stakeholders.
gayle glanville, MPA ’95, was named a Fellow of
the American Academy of Optometry at Academy
2010 San Francisco on November 20, 2010.
laura E. (Shaw) hengle, BSBA ’97, has been
elected chapter president for CREW Cleveland, the
local chapter of the national CREW (Commercial
Real Estate Women) organization.
robert J. herberger, JD ’90, has been named
a partner in the law firm of Roth, Blair, Roberts,
Strasfeld & Lodge.
Air Force Major James michael howard, BSEE
’99, graduated from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot
School at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
This difficult program is the only one of its kind in
the United States. James is an experimental test
pilot, and is stationed at Hurlburt Field in Florida.
Suzanne hughes, BSN ’98,
is one of the American Heart
Association’s 2011 “Heart
Champions” and will be
honored at the Heart Ball.
The CD on which dr. Kathleen Joyce-grendahl,
MM ’93, is the executive producer recently
received a GRAMMY nomination in the Best Native
American Music Album category. The CD is titled
Woodnotes Wyld: Historic Flute Sounds from the Dr.
Richard W. Payne Collection. It is a field recording
made by flutist Peter Phippen who donated all
publishing rights and royalties to the International
Native American Flute Association, an organization
for which Dr. Joyce-Grendahl is the executive
director.
thomas Knauer, BFA ’90, has purchased Artists
Inc., a 60-year-old advertising company.
Medina County Auditor michael E. Kovack, MPA
’92, was recently elected to serve as president of
the County Auditor’s Association of Ohio (CAAO),
representing Ohio’s 88 County Auditors. The
CAAO was formed in 1867 for the express purpose
of promoting and protecting the interests of
taxpayers in the State of Ohio and improving the
administration of county government.
andrew lycans, BA ’98, has been selected for
the second class of the Ohio State Bar Association
Leadership Academy.
William martino, MA ’91, has been appointed
director of the Holmes County District Public
Library.
deborah S. matz, JD ’92, is Summit County’s
new law director.
Shannon mcCue, JD ’98, has been appointed to
counsel at Han Loeser & Parks LLP.
Susan medley, MM ’95, is the new director of
the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale, a 90-member
community choral group.
michael nash, BS ’91, is featured in a Cleveland
Plain Dealer story on becoming the top ranger at
Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
donna nicholas, BA ’92, has been appointed
Coventry’s first female sheriff’s captain.
Jan noden’s, BFA ’99, art will be featured in
Summit Artspace’s newest exhibit, “The Human
Element.”
Cheryl roberts, BA’98, was hired as marketing
coordinator at Perspectus Architecture in Cleveland.
Jason roberts, BS ’99, was
promoted to senior executive
immunization specialist
for the Systems Team at
GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines.
gary Setzer, assistant professor in the University
of Arizona’s School of Art and 1997 graduate of
The University of Akron’s Myers School of Art,
is the recipient of the Louise Foucar Marshall
Professorship, established by the Tucson-based
Marshall Foundation.
dr. mike Shreffler, MA ’94, is part of an exciting
new endeavor, ORMACO-Ohio Regional Music Arts
and Cultural Outreach. The nonprofit organization
was the brain child of a friend, Thomas Sigel,
owner of Sigel Press and T. Sigel Consulting. Sigel,
Shreffler and three others have joined forces to
fulfill the nonprofit’s vision to make music, arts and
culture accessible to all with a focus on minority,
disadvantaged and rural populations, especially
children and elderly.
Brett J. Waress, BA ’90,
vice president/chief operating
officer and associate
director, South East Area
Health Education Center,
has become a Fellow in the
American College of Medical
Practice Executives.
| 26 |

2000s
Stark & Knoll is pleased to
announce the addition of
michael t. altvater, JD ’08,
as an associate in its Litigation
and Employment Group.
William arndt, BSBA ’87,
BSN ’02, has been appointed
director of Critical Care/
Emergency Services at
Summa Western Reserve
Hospital.
peter aubry, MA ’10, has
been named as the new
Registrar for Hiram House
Camp, Ohio’s oldest camp,
located on Hiram Trail in
Chagrin Falls. The 172-acre
camp serves thousands of
children each year.
heather Beyer, BA ’09, will star in “A Woman
Called Truth: The Story of Sojourner Truth” on
January 14th.
patrick Bravo, JD ’07, MPA ’07, is Summit
County’s new deputy director for Community and
Economic Development.
Brian Carbenia, AAS ’95, BA ’97, JD ’03, MPA
’03, has been promoted to the position of deputy
chief of police for the Perry Township Police
Department.
Christine Chase, BSA ’08, has been promoted to
senior associate at Bober, Markey & Fedorovich.
Eric dorenkott, MT ’08, has been named tax
manager at Corrigan Krause.
penny Evans, MA ’03, has joined the speech
therapy team at Altercare of Nobles Pond of
Jackson Township.
Tornado Alley research by michael Frates, BA ’08,
MS ’10, is featured in the Winter 2010 edition of
Broadcaster Magazine.
Air Force Captain Jason B. honabarger, B.S.
’01, graduated in December from the USAF Test
Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. This
difficult program is the only one of its kind in the
United States. Jason is a flight test engineer, and is
stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
nicole hughes, AAB ’99, BSA ’04, has been
promoted to supervisor at Bober, Markey and
Fedorovich.
Brian Kenney, JD ’06, has been named an
associate at Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP.
Craig leake, MM ’04, has accepted the flute
instructor position at the U.S. Army School of Music
in Virginia.
amanda leffler, JD ’02, has been selected for
the second class of the Ohio State Bar Association
Leadership Academy.
haley maple, BAE ’00
has been named an equity
partner at Forizs & Dogali,
P.A. in Tampa, FL. Haley
was also just elected to
serve a three-year term on
the board of directors of the
Alpha House of Tampa Bay
and to the board of directors of Tampa’s Network
of Executive Women. Additionally, Haley holds
a leadership position within the American Bar
Association Section of Litigation on the Membership
& Marketing Committee and serves as the editorin-chief
of the Woman Advocate Committee of the
Section of Litigation.
mindy marsden, BSA ’08, has been appointed to
senior associate at Bober, Markey and Fedorovich.
Bryan mcmanus, BSA ’07, has joined the CPA
firm of McManus Dosen & Co.
Winning the National Science Foundation’s
instrumentation grant is only one of the many
accomplishments of Hiram College Assistant
Professor of Biology Jody modarelli, BS ’95,
PhD ’01. Modarelli has presented research at
professional conferences with students and her
efforts with freshmen and biochemistry majors have
earned her recognition as a model instructor.
ryan praschan, BSA ’07, has joined SS&G
Financial Services, Inc. as a senior associate.
Buckingham, Doolittle &
Burroughs, LLP, is pleased to
announce that amanda t.
Quan, JD ’10, has joined the
Akron office as an associate.
Emily richards, BSA ’10, has joined SS&G
Financial Services, Inc. as an associate.
Stark & Knoll Co., L.P.A. is
honored to announce that
donald Scherer, AAS ’99,
BS ’01, JD ’06, was selected
as 2011 Ohio Super Lawyers
Rising Stars in the Business/
Corporate practice area.
todd Snitchler, JD ’02, is the new chairman of the
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Air Force Captain nathan W. taylor, BSME ’00,
graduated in December from the USAF Test Pilot
School at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. This difficult
program is the only one of its kind in the United
States. He was one of nine flight test engineers.
He has also earned a Master’s Degree from Dayton
University and the Air University. He is currently
assigned to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
olen York, JD ’01, ML ’05, has joined the
Dinsmore & Shohl law firm in Morgantown, WV.
Whether you visit campus often —
or have not come back in years —
you will want to make plans to return
Oct. 3-8. Homecoming 2011
will fill those dates with exciting
events from arts to Zips!
Bigger and bolder than ever,
Homecoming 2011 will include a
Spirit Parade on Oct. 6;
a “Blue, Gold and Soul” concert by
legendary musician Herbie Hancock on
Oct. 7; alumni-comedian George Wallace
direct from Vegas, the Zips Fest and
Akron Football vs. Florida International
University on Oct. 8; and much more.
Check out
www.uaevents.com/homecoming
for developing details.
The Akron Affiliate of Sales & Marketing
Executives International 2011
Sales & Marketing Award Recipients:
» rick Addis, BSEE ’84, MBA ’90
» Jennifer Fyffe, MBA ’02
» Keith Hanawalt, BSBA ’82
» John Mayer, AAB ’84
» Joseph Swiatkowski, BSBA ’99
A M AgA z in e for A lu M ni & f rie n ds of T h e u ni v e r siT y of A k ron w w w. ua k ron. edu
| 27 |

AlUmNI NewS
Births
Jeremy Butler, BSBA ’02, MSE ’04, and wife, Mehgan (Hoy) Butler, MA ’04,
welcomed a daughter, Elise Marin, on January 3, 2011.
IN memORIAm
Mrs. Marie Peckham
Marie Jane (Cascioli)
Peckham passed away
February 6, 2011.
Mrs. Peckham was
born in St. Catharines,
Ontario, Canada and
lived all her life in Akron
and Cuyahoga Falls,
graduating from North High School. Mrs. Peckham
served in the United States Marine Corps as a
Staff Sergeant during World War II teaching Link
Trainers to Marine Corps Corsair Pilots
(flying by instruments). She also taught plane and
ship recognition.
She attended Akron University and taught school
at Sacred Heart Academy when it was located on
Broadway in Akron and was also a graduate of
Actual Business College. She was Cuyahoga Falls
Mayor Harding A. Wichert’s secretary when the City
Building moved from Front and Broad Blvd.
to Second St.
She was the first Clerk of Cuyahoga Falls
Municipal Court, setting up and organizing the
Clerk’s office and the Court, with assistance of
Harold Graham, first bailiff of the Court. She was
also the first Records and Personnel officer of the
City of Cuyahoga Falls in 1960, organizing the office
from its inception when it became a chartered city.
Marie and her husband Jack, along with others, were
members of the original committee who started the
Octoberfest in Cuyahoga Falls.
Jack and Marie were married for 44 years. He
retired from Firestone Tire and Rubber Company,
where he was an electrical design engineer. Jack died
in 1992. While Jack was ill, he was cared for by
many fine and compassionate nurses who provided
support and guidance for Jack and for the family.
In 2001, Marie established The Jack W. Peckham
Memorial Scholarship Fund at The University of
Akron in honor of the nursing profession. The
scholarship, funded through Marie’s estate, provides
aid for an undergraduate student in UA’s College
of Nursing.
Marriages
Julianne Sarver, BA ’07, and Mark Leffler, BS ’07, MS ’09,
were married on July 3, 2010.
In Memoriam
Fred D. Barton, BA ’61, BS ’61, March 6, 2011
Judge Sam H. Bell, JD ’52, 1982 Outstanding Law Alumni Award,
Tau Beta Phi, December 23, 2010
Joseph Bellassai, BSME ’47, November 6, 2010
Margaret anne Brosnan, JD ’71, December 30, 2010
elsie Churchill, BSED ’40, April 27, 2010
John N. economou, ’56, Men’s Basketball, Phi Delta Theta, February 25, 2011
alfred J. elavsky, BSA ’60, March 23, 2010
earnestine Ferguson, AAS ’85, BA ’92, AAS ’07, November 12, 2010
Dr. Carl Helwig, EDD ’69, January 14, 2011
Leon Hall, retired radio dispatcher for the University Police Department,
January 8, 2011
Lois Myers Hesse, UA Asst. Prof. of Bibliography, March 16, 2011
Thomas e. Holonich, BMT ’79, February 27, 2009
robert L. Hostetler, BSEE ’47, MSEE ’63, Tau Beta Pi (Eng), Theta Chi,
August 21, 2010
e. James Kotora, MAED ’72, February 15, 2011
Paul L. Kunkel, BA ’57, A-Key, ODK, Lone Star, and Newman Center,
November 3, 2010
ralph Larson, former Associate Director of Purchasing, December 12, 2010
edwin Lowe Lively, former chair of sociology department, former dean of
graduate and research, October 26, 2010
Doris a. (Lawler) MacDonald, BA ’26, Alpha Gamme Delta,
November 29, 2010
Thomas J. Maistros, Sr., MS ’59, February 28, 2011
Dr. Perry Marteny, BS ’78, PhD ’82, January 7, 2011
Gertrude e. Maxey, ’40, February 3, 2011 2/3/2011
Charles edward McSweeney, BSME ’47, Newman Center, Phi Sigma Kappa,
Tau Beta Pi (Eng), November 5, 2010
Vince J. Mealy, BS ’85, MS ’89, December 15, 2010
Megan (Horrigan) Mortell, BA ’89, December 7, 2010
Frederick J. Mourey, BSIM ’74, December 12, 2009
richard John Murphy, BA ’07, January 23, 2011
James e. Payne, JD ’77, Outstanding Law Alumni Award, February 19, 2011
edmund D. romito, BSEE ’50, A-Key, Men’s Baseball, ODK Tau Bet Pi (Eng),
Theta Chi, January 26, 2011
Lydia Louis Salib, BS ’02, Member of Women in Engineering Advisory Board,
June 8, 2010
Kelley Shelton, AAB ’86, AAS ’86, BS ’87, Delta Sigma Pi, January 14, 2011
richard H. Shoemaker, ’45, Lambda Chi Alpha, July 2, 2010
robert e. Smith, BS ’43, Phi Kappa Tau, December 17, 2010
Lynn D. Strazi, BS ’72, December 25, 2010
Judge Brenda Burnham Unruh, JD ’84, 2011 Outstanding Law Alumni Award,
March 13, 2011
Margery S. (Sturdevant) Wright, BSBA ’52, Kappa Kappa Gamma,
Sigma Theta Tau, October 31, 2010
| 28 |

Alumnus Gifts IRA
William Beckett graduated from Buchtel High
School in 1950 and attended The University
of Akron, receiving a degree in engineering.
He began his career with General Motors
in Wisconsin and from there went to work
for RCA, which was later purchased by
GE. He worked on guidance systems for
intercontinental missiles and design of
missiles and spacecraft tracking systems.
He retired from GE in 1993.
Now a resident of New Jersey, Beckett
holds his alma mater in high regard and
wanted to give back to the college that helped
him. “Reflecting on my past, I concluded that
there would not have been an engineering
‘life path’ for me without The University of
Akron being close enough for me to live at
home while going to school, and the City of
Akron paying a large portion of the tuition
cost for residents,” Beckett stated.
“I wanted to help make a college education
easier financially for students, so I established
a scholarship to assist students needing aid,”
he continued. “Since I am over seventy, I did
this with a Qualified Charitable Distribution
out of my IRA, directly to The University of
Akron Foundation. This is a special transfer
allowable in 2011 – gifts up to $100,000 can
be made without having to pay any federal
income taxes. This is my way of showing my
gratitude for a great education and start of
my adult life.”
Just as William Beckett chose to do,
gifting your IRA to The University of Akron
leaves a lasting legacy at your alma mater.
To learn how you can gift an IRA to
The University of Akron, please contact
David Horn (dhorn@uakron.edu) or
Kate Bame (kbame@uakron.edu) in
the Center for Gift and Estate Planning,
330-972-7452.
The University is an Equal Education and Employment Institution.

Akron Magazine
Akron, OH 44325-2603
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
u.S. poStagE paid
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
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