McClish, Richard R. and Debra Endowed Scholarship
The Richard R. and Debra McClish Endowed Scholarship was established by Richard R. and Debra McClish in October 2018 and revised in 2022 to support students in Ohio.
Mr. McClish grew up in west Akron and attended Buchtel High School. He then went to The University of Akron, where he graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, he was employed by E. I. du Pont in Charleston, WV. In 1972, Mr. McClish joined General Electric's plastics business in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. He worked for GE, in management, for 25 years in several locations, rising to the rank of general manager in the company's manufacturing division. He left GE to work for RR Donnelley & Sons in Chicago, the world's largest commercial printer. There, he served as senior vice president and chief manufacturing officer for seven years. Mr. McClish's principal focus was working with operations to improve the productivity and efficiency of their presses and finishing equipment. He left RR Donnelley & Sons to work for Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, NE as Vice President of Continuous Improvement, where he worked with the operating department improving the efficiency of their infrastructure and equipment.
Mr. and Mrs. McClish want to help mechanical and aerospace engineering students at The University of Akron attain their career goals and dreams.
The Richard R. and Debra McClish Endowed Scholarship shall be awarded to mechanical and/or aerospace engineering student(s) at The University of Akron. First consideration will be given to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are graduates of a high school in Ohio. Selection of the recipient(s) will be made by The University of Akron Scholarship Committee.
Applicants must also:
- Possess a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or greater
- Have attended at least one year (two semesters} of full-time study at The University of Akron
- Have financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid