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
Cavalier, Lynnette M. Endowed Scholarship
The Lynnette M. Cavalier Endowed Scholarship was established in 2018 by Lynn Cavalier to support and promote students pursuing engineering degrees traditionally underrepresented in this field. The scholarship was revised in 2024.
Lynn earned a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology from Northwestern University in 1973 and a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from The University of Akron in 1981. She is a 1999 graduate of The Executive Program at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration and a 2002 graduate of the Advanced Human Resources Executive Program at The University of Michigan Business School.
Lynn joined Ohio Edison as an engineer in 1981 and by 1990 had been promoted to superintendent of the W. H. Sammis Plant (Units 1-4). Lynn was promoted to superintendent of the New Castle Power Plant in 1993, becoming the first female in Ohio Edison's history to head a generating plant. By 1996, she led Ohio Edison's Power Supply Business Growth Team and the FirstEnergy Market Model Task Force. In 1997, Lynn was named president of FirstEnergy's Eastern Region, Ohio, which was another milestone, as she was its first female operating company president. She was then named vice president of Human Resources in 2001 and promoted to senior vice president in 2005, serving as FirstEnergy's chief human resources officer. After a fulfilling career with one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, Lynn retired in 2017.
Throughout Lynn's thriving career, she remained committed to community leadership by mentoring women regarding their academic and career paths. She is a recipient of the ATHENA Award, The University of Akron's College of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award, and the National Society of Fund-Raising Executives Outstanding Corporate Philanthropy Award.
Lynn has served many roles in the community including vice chairwoman of the Mahoning Valley Campaign for 2000-2001; Youngstown State University Operations Improvement Task Force, vice chairwoman; Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce, vice chairwoman, first female executive committee member and fund-raising committee member; Youngstown-Mahoning Valley United Way, board member; Industrial Information Institute for Education, board member and treasurer; Leadership Mahoning Valley, board member and Youth Business Day co-chair; supported numerous employees in volunteering for Ohio Reads and other volunteer efforts in the community. Lynn was a panel member for the 2001 Athena Leadership Forum and mentored countless female employees holding leadership roles.
The Lynnette M. Cavalier Endowed Scholarship shall be awarded annually to undergraduate students pursuing an engineering degree. Priority will be granted to students who advocate for diversity within the engineering program, whether by actively engaging or volunteering in initiatives such as the Women in Engineering Program (WIEP), Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academics (IDEAs), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), or any comparable organization. Moreover, students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in higher education will be given preference by assessing the following criteria: location of high school attended; financial need/economic background; first generation college attendance; evidence of leadership ability; community involvement; and students with a history of overcoming adversity. The first choice will be extended to sophomore through senior level students who maintain good academic standing, exhibit a strong work ethic, and actively participate in student activities.
The College of Engineering and Polymer Science scholarship committee will identify eligible recipients and provide the list to The University of Akron Scholarship Committee in the Office of Student Financial Aid, which will make the final selection.
To make a tax-deductible gift to this scholarship, please visit °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ’s . Select “A different designation” from the drop-down menu and enter “Lynnette Cavalier Scholarship” in the text box. Thank you!
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