Spring 2011 - The University of Akron

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.
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