Belgya, Mark R. and Beverly E. Faculty Research Fund
The Mark R. and Beverly E. Belgya Faculty Research Fund was established in 2010, and revised in July 2018, to provide privately funded faculty research grant assistance to the College of Business Administration at The University of Akron. Through concentrated research efforts, university faculty create new knowledge, which benefits students in their pursuit of higher education. Students also learn and develop, working alongside faculty as their research inquiries point to new pathways to emerging knowledge. Faculty research also provides a means of local partnership with area businesses, providing information which leads to the establishment and maintenance of industry leadership.
The Mark R. and Beverly E. Belgya Faculty Research Fund is the first-ever, privately funded faculty research grant to the College of Business Administration. The fund will allow the CBA dean, at his or her discretion, to dramatically enhance the faculty's research capacity via unrestricted research stipends. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the premier international accrediting body for all business schools, views faculty research and currency as an important element of the quality of a business program. The college's ability to increase faculty research and thought leadership via The Mark R. and Beverly E. Belgya Faculty Research Fund will enhance the institution's already outstanding national reputation.
Mark and Beverly Belgya are graduates of The University of Akron who believe strongly in the power of education and its ability to impact future generations. Mark received a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a master's degree in business administration from °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ in 1982 and 1993 respectively. Currently vice chair and chief financial officer of The J.M. Smucker Company, Mark is a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Beverly Belgya received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from The University of Akron in 1983 and is a certified public accountant. She began a career in public accounting, later working for Monterey Federal Credit Union, GE Capital and finishing her CPA career in 2003 as Corporate Controller for Graphic Enterprises, Inc. The Belgyas met during college at The University of Akron and are parents of two children, Kristi and Karli. The family resides in Jackson Township, Ohio.
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