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Crowley, Mary Lynn Scholarship in the School of Dance

The Mary Lynn Crowley Scholarship in the School of Dance was established in 2022 by Thomas R. and Mary Lynn Crowley in honor and recognition of Mrs. Crowley's passion and interest in dance.

A retired associate lecturer in what is now The University of Akron's College of Health and Human Sciences (formerly the College of Health Professions, School of Nutrition and Dietetics), Mrs. Crowley also was a past part-time faculty member in °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ's School of Home Economics and Family Ecology, and co-collaborator in the founding of the School's Food and Environmental Nutrition (FEN) program, launched in 2011. A highly sought-after professor, Mrs. Crowley received high praise from her students for the classroom knowledge she shared and the wisdom they gained from working with her in the laboratory.

Mrs. Crowley earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee and her master's degree in food science from The University of Akron in 2000. The relevance of her thesis, titled, "Chefs Attitudes Toward Technically-Altered Food: A Study of Awareness and Willingness to Purchase," is timeless, as evidenced by local and world-wide food movements and investigative media reports on genetically modified and processed foods. Mrs. Crowley has worked for The Hoover Company and as a consultant to the food media industry. In 1996, she was recognized with two Market Awards from the Ohio Association of Family & Consumer Sciences and an Outstanding Business Professional of Northeast Ohio award.

Thomas R. Crowley, Mrs. Crowley's husband, is the retired chairman and president of Gasko Products in Medina, Ohio. Prior to purchasing Gasko Products in 1975, Mr. Crowley held various financial and managerial positions with Eagle Picher Industries. Mr. Crowley is a graduate of the University of Detroit. He served on the Board of Directors of the Gasket Fabricators Association from 1983 to 2001 and is a member of the Children's Hospital Foundation in Akron, Ohio. Mr. Crowley is also a member of several Irish American organizations. He and Mrs. Crowley are the proud parents of Kate and son-in-­law Marc Lascko.

Generous philanthropists, Mr. and Mrs. Crowley have supported the Ohio Ballet Board, as well as the Thomas R. and Mary Lynn Crowley Scholarship for the College of Health Professions' School of Nutrition and Dietetics at The University of Akron. They also provide generous support to °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ's E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall Flying Balcony Club and, with a renewed focus on the arts, they support the School of Dance and the Dance Institute. The Crowley's are also significant benefactors to Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron and support Our Lady of the Elms Schools. In recognition of their giving, past and present to The University of Akron, Mr. and Mrs. Crowley are members of the 1870 Society and President's Club of the John R. Buchtel Society.

In addition to their own philanthropy, Mrs. Crowley is a major advocate in attracting new benefactors to her alma mater as evidenced by the establishment of the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Business Professionals in Family and Consumer Sciences Scholarship at °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ (University of Akron). Beyond their resources, the Crowley's give of their time to the organizations they support. In this regard, Mrs. Crowley served on The University of Akron (former) College of Fine and Applied Arts Advancement Council, and they both are members of the Arts Advancement Council.

The purpose of The Mary Lynn Crowley Scholarship in the School of Dance is to attract new, high caliber students to the University's School of Dance and to the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences.

The Mary Lynn Crowley Scholarship in the School of Dance reflects the family's passion for dance, heightening an art form that does not speak with word or pen, yet boldly conveys an expressive language all its own. Crowley's passion for dance will have a rippling effect that translates to dedicated °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ students whose study of dance will be shared on stages throughout Northeast Ohio. The students' energy and emotion will invite a welcoming transaction between performer and patron.

Dance, itself, reflects a powerful impulse, channeled by skillful performers into an intensely expressive experience. It is choreographed art practiced by students and professional mentors and consumed by a wider audience whose appreciation radiates throughout the wider community.

The Mary Lynn Crowley Scholarship in the School of Dance ultimately results in a tremendous gift of emotion and moment in time, ably delineating the beginning of an elevated artistic experience for the entire community.

To be eligible for The Mary Lynn Crowley Scholarship in the School of Dance, candidates must:

• Be in good academic standing with the University
• Major in dance
• Have demonstrated financial need
• Maintain a GPA (grade point average) of 3.0 or higher

Candidates will be identified by the Dance unit's administrator or their designee, with final selection by The University of Akron Scholarship Committee in the Office of Student Financial Aid.

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 “Crowley School of Dance Scholarship” in the text box. Thank you!