2007 Annual Report - Akron Community Foundation

37 TH POLSKY AWARD RECIPIENT
Contributors to the Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award Fund
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Rev. Ronald J. Fowler
Senior Pastor, Arlington Church of God
It was a miracle that led Rev. Ronald J. Fowler to a life of service.
As a young boy living in Bedford, he fell into a segregated swimming
hole where he almost drowned. A white girl – June Miracle – jumped
in to save him, a sign that he too should dedicate his life to helping
people of all colors and means.
Dr. Fowler’s life of service began in the Detroit Public Schools, where
he shaped the lives of students both in the classroom and on the
football field. His commitment to education continued as president
of Akron’s school board, co-chair of This City Reads and on the board
of Summit Education Initiative.
It was a miracle that led Reverend Fowler to a life of service.
Fowler recently headed The University of Akron’s Student Discipline
and Law Enforcement Policy Review Commission, helping improve the
university’s disciplinary and law-enforcement policies for years to come.
Rev. Fowler leads Arlington Church of God in holistic service to the
East Akron community. Elderly adults find housing through the church’s
AHOPES program. Residents gain much-needed health assistance
and education through the church’s medical board. A scholarship
committee helps college-bound and career-oriented high schoolers
achieve their goals, and a food bank is open to all in need.
Degrees from Kent State University, Anderson University and
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary might have equipped Rev. Fowler for
leadership, but nothing short of a miracle prepared him for service.
“…autograph life with excellence,” Fowler says. “We will all leave a
signature somewhere.”
Nowhere is that signature clearer than in Greater Akron.
Clockwise from left:
Dr. Ronald J. Fowler receives the
Polsky Award from Akron Community
Foundation Board Chair Kathryn Dindo.
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic
congratulates Rev. Fowler.
Family members Travis and
Cynthia Starks, Joyce Fowler,
Ronald Fowler Jr., Christine Fowler-
Mack and Quintero Mack pose
along side the honoree.
Long-time friend and fellow
pastor Knute Larson (center)
celebrates with John Rasnick (left)
and Ron Glosser (right).
A. Schulman Inc.
Acme Fresh Market
Akron Beacon Journal
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Akron Children’s Hospital
Akron General Medical Center
Mr. and Mrs. Fred I. Albrecht
Rennick and Dee Dee Andreoli
Arlington Church of God
Drs. Mark and Sandy Auburn
Jody Bacon
Leslie Parker Barnes
William R. Barney Jr.
Myrna and Morris M. Berzon
Bober, Markey, Fedorovich & Co.
Charles and Mary Booth
Vondie C. Boykin
Martha E. Boyle
Ann Amer Brennan
Brockman, Coats, Gedelian & Co.
Marilyn M. Buckey
Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs LLP
Eileen Burg
Jewell Cardwell
Cohen & Company CPA’s, Michael Kolk
Cohen & Company CPA’s,
Tim McEldowney
Cohen & Company CPA’s, Angela Milo
Daniel C. Colantone
Jane and Steve Comunale
Bill and Becky Considine
Consolidated Benefits
Charlene Corlett
Marie E. Covington
James N. Crutchfield
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Daverio Jr.
Flora N. Dees, Ed. D.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Deveny III
Kathleen Downing
Constance G. Dubick
Laraine Duncan
Robert and Donae Eckert
John Economou
Tiffany Edwards
Dr. Ernest and Bonnie Estep
Lorraine and Don Fair
Fifth Third Bank
FirstEnergy
FirstMerit Bank
Pete Graham
Bill and Marie Ginter
Ron and Lily Glosser
GOJO Industries Inc.
Rev. Kevin M. Goode
The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
Patricia and J. Harvey Graves
John R. Guinter
Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Handlos,
Bridgestone Firestone North American
Tire LLC
Gary Hartman
Frank and Robbin Harvey
Louise Harvey
Dr. Gregory and Judi Hill
Belinda Hinton
Beth Houseman
Judy Hummel
Oscar A. Hunsicker Jr.
Kathryn M. Hunter
Duane L. Isham
Clifford Isroff
Barbara Jones
Michael Jones, Boy Scouts of America
Beth A. Kartarius
Pat Kemph
Kent State University
George E. Kettlewell
Bryan and Susan Kinnamon
Sarah L. Kisner, County of Summit
Department of Job and Family Services
Douglas R. Kohl
Nancy and David Koly
Paul and Sue Kruder
Robert Kulinski
Leadership Akron
Glenn and Karen Leppo
Margaret Lloyd
Riley Lochridge, ComDoc
Steven L. Marks
The Maynard Family Foundation
Nancy Ellis McClenaghan
Greg and Jackie McDermott
Bob and Vicki Merzweiler
John A. Mogen
Marvin and Jo Ann Gilmore Montgomery
Charles Myricks Jr.
National City
Vernon and Vivian Celeste Neal
NEOUCOM - Mr. Lindsey H. Loftus
Herb and Dianne Newman
OMNOVA Solutions Inc.
Eddie and Linda Omobien
Patricia A. Pacenta Esq.
Charles R. Parnell
Jan and George T. Parry
Sonya and James M. Parry
Mr. and Mrs. W. Stuver Parry
James and Margaret Payne
Susan J. Peirce, Moore Stephens Apple
Radiation Oncology Physicians
Scott and Kimberly Read
Katie Rennard
Dani Robbins
Roetzel & Andress
Bud and Susie Rogers
A. F. Romano
Dr. Daniel and Barbara Sanders
Jefferson E. and Patrice M. Satterfield
Edwin P. Schrank
Rev. Sandra Selby
Ilene Shapiro
George K. Sherwood
Jacqueline N. Silas-Butler
R. Bruce Silver
Sandra and Richey Smith
Ara Mae Sojourner
Lois Sojourner
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Mr. and Mrs. F. William Steere
Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer
Rodney and Marjorie Stout
Summa Health System
David Telfer
Catherine and Martin Timko
Mr. and Mrs. David J. Towell
UBS Financial Services Inc.
The University of Akron
University of Akron Foundation
The University of Akron School of Law
Linda and Gale Urda
David and Cheryl Venarge
Emil A. Voelz
Theodore F. Walter, CHASE
Jacqueline W. Walton
Robert P. Weisberger
Judge Beth Whitmore
Bernett L. Williams
Judge James R. Williams
Rosemary Wright
Laurie Zuckerman and Steve Johnson
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