McGrath, Marna Darst Endowed Scholarship in Social Sciences
The Marna Darst McGrath Endowed Scholarship in Social Sciences was established in 2012 by Mrs. Marna Darst McGrath. Marna, a 1948 University of Akron alumna, majored in sociology and was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. Upon graduation, Marna worked at the Massillon State Hospital. On one of her bus trips to Cleveland, she met the man she would marry, Bernard McGrath. He eventually worked for Texaco, and they moved many times, settling in Dallas, Texas, more than 30 years ago. The McGraths have four children, all of whom reside in Texas, and three grandchildren.
Marna has many connections to The University of Akron. Her brother, Howard Darst Jr. ’42, and his wife, Glennie Osborne Darst ’43, are both graduates, along with their sons, Paul Darst BS ’69, MS ’71 and David Darst MS Ed ’81, and David’s wife, Deb Kulcsar MS Ed ’82. Mildred Rausch Bolinger ’37 and Emma Rausch Stephens ’38, cousins of Marna, also graduated from The University of Akron.
Growing up in Goodyear Heights after her father returned from World War I, Marna and her family moved to West Akron in 1934. A graduate of Buchtel High School, Marna also enjoyed her years at The University of Akron and has fond memories of taking the bus downtown and walking up the steep hill to the University. Tuition during the 1940s was approximately $45 per semester.
Marna is a longtime financial supporter of the University and a huge Zips fan, despite living thousands of miles away in Texas. She continues to keep up with the °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ soccer, basketball, and football teams, and at times she can catch a game on television.
The Marna Darst McGrath Endowed Scholarship in Social Sciences was established to support full-time students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are majoring in any social science program at The University of Akron. The recipient will be selected by the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences Social Science Department, in cooperation with the office of Student Financial Aid.