Named scholarships & funds
When it comes to earning a college degree, the greatest obstacle can be funding.
For this reason, The University of Akron is pleased for the opportunity each year to assist talented, deserving students achieve their dreams, thanks to more than 1,300 named scholarships established through the kindness and generosity of thousands of °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ alumni and friends, corporations, and foundations.
Scholarships truly are the best way to ensure that today’s students persist to graduation. Scholarships allow students to enroll full time and remain focused on their studies; they also reduce drop-out rates, decrease the stress of student loans, and shorten the road to graduation.
If you are interested in making a significant contribution to student success, please consider a gift to scholarships. You may also establish a named scholarship at The University of Akron, which can be created to honor a living person, in memory of a loved one, or to contribute to the growth of an area of study.
To learn more, please contact the Department of Development at 330-972-7238.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
This is not the page to apply for scholarships.
Students who want to apply for scholarships should visit the scholarship page on the Financial Aid site. You can find the link for the online application here.
The Department of Development does not accept applications for or distribute scholarships. Scholarships are distributed through the University’s Office of Student Financial Aid.
Search for a Named Scholarship
Leonard ‘61 , James V. Endowed Scholarship in Engineering
The James V. Leonard ‘61, Endowed Scholarship in Engineering was established at The University of Akron in October 2018 by Mrs. Barbara Johnston, honoring the memory of her late husband, James V. Leonard.
James enrolled at The University of Akron in 1955 after serving a year with the International Guard in electronics, which influenced his choice to study electrical engineering. Working a part-time 6 p.m.-to-midnight shift at Goodyear to support his family, it took James six years to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1961. He started his career with Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Ga., and later moved into the aircraft computer and electronics division at McDonnell Aircraft in 1962. McDonnell was eventually bought out by Boeing, which is where he met his future wife Barbara, whom he married in 1993.
James made it his long-term goal to reach 50-years of continuous employment with the company via the Technical Fellow Program. A 10-year process took him through roles of Associate Tech. Fellow, Tech. Fellow and then to his final status as Sr. Tech. Fellow. During his career, James also earned degrees from Washington University and Missouri Science and Tech, and was recognized by all three alma maters with a Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award. In January 2009, he received the distinction as an Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fellow, the highest ranking membership awarded and given annually to a select few. Jim eventually retired from Boeing with 51 years of service and 19 patents.
Mrs. Johnston felt that supporting engineering students was a fitting way to honor James’s outgoing spirit, life and dedication to °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ and engineering. The Leonard scholarship will support students by reducing financial challenges as they work to earn degrees.
Candidates for The James V. Leonard ‘61, Endowed Scholarship in Engineering must be enrolled in the College of Engineering (COE), with preference given to electrical engineering majors. Applicants must be in good standing in the College of Engineering and may be enrolled full or part-time. Recipient selection will be made by the College of Engineering’s Scholarship Committee based on the aforementioned criteria.
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