Urban, Melba Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Women's Golf
Jeanne and Mike Nelson established The Melba Urban Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Women's Golf in 2021, in honor of Jeanne's aunt, Melba Urban. Melba enjoyed Zips sports, including football, basketball and most important to her, golf. Melba was unable to attend college, but she did work at Firestone, which allowed her to pursue her love of golf -- one of the perks of her job was being able to play at Firestone Country Club. The Firestone course was her favorite course to play and to take in a match as a spectator. Annually, she attended the World Series of Golf and had the opportunity to meet golfing legend Arnold Palmer at one of the competitions. Aside from playing and watching, Melba developed lifelong relationships through her love of golf, many of which lasted until her passing at age 96.
Melba's niece, Jeanne, was a student-athlete in college and recalled having to make her own uniforms, pay her own travel expenses and not have assistance to ease the financial burdens associated with scholarship or athletics. By establishing The Melba Urban Endowed Scholarship for Women's Golf at The University of Akron, Jeanne and Mike desire to enable female student-athletes to pursue degree completion as they also pursue their love of golf and to worry less about the financial commitments associated with higher education and athletics. They hope to assist Zips in their educational pursuits as they prepare for future opportunities and success.
The Melba Urban Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Women's Golf candidates may be full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at The University of Akron. Recipients must be in good academic standing and will be selected by the Women's Golf Team coach. Additionally, candidates should be involved with community service or philanthropic pursuits locally.
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