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
Mowdood, Ph.D., Syed K. Endowed Award in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering
The Syed K. Mowdood, Ph.D., Endowed Award in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering was established in October 2023 by Dr. Syed Mowdood's children, Alfred and Miriam, who wished to honor their late father's extraordinary career and extend his legacy of valuing higher education. The award was revised in 2024 to include polymer engineering.
Dr. Mowdood was born in Patna, an ancient city located 200 miles southwest of Mt. Everest. He was the youngest of nine brothers and one sister and lived through the partition of India. After schooling at the University of Karachi in Pakistan, he immigrated to the United States, where he earned a doctoral degree from The Ohio State University.
Dr. Mowdood spent more than 20 years with the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, beginning as a research chemist and eventually working on numerous projects and management assignments for the company's various divisions, including Engineered Products, Goodyear Aerospace, and the Tire Division. With Pirelli, he held various positions, including serving as a director and consultant. He also holds numerous patents and was actively involved in scholarly publishing.
Active in the scientific community, Dr. Mowdood was a member of the ACS Rubber Division and served as chair of its Program Planning Committee from 2005-08. After his term ended, he stayed on to chair and moderate major tire-related symposiums at the association's International Elastomer Conference, earning Best Symposium awards seven times from 2006-18. He also served as a session chair with the International Tire Exhibition and Conference beginning in 1994, when the conference began, and was presented with an award of appreciation in 2016.
Above all, Dr. Mowdood valued diversity, a pluralistic society, education, women's rights, and mentoring. He passed away on February 25, 2021, survived by his wife of 31 years, Andree Boyer, his children and grandchildren, and many more family members and friends.
The Syed K. Mowdood, Ph.D., Endowed Award in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering was established as part of We Rise Together, The Campaign for The University of Akron.
To be eligible for The Syed K. Mowdood, Ph.D., Endowed Award in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, students must be in good academic standing with The University of Akron and enrolled at the graduate level in the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. Special consideration should be given to an international student. Financial need may be considered but is not required. Funds used for purposes other than qualified educational expenses may be reportable and/or taxable to the recipient. Selection will be made by the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering Award Committee.
To make a tax-deductible gift to this award, please visit °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ’s . Select “A different designation” from the drop-down menu and enter “Mowdood Award” in the text box. Thank you!
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