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
Alber Family Scholarship for Civil and Construction Engineering
The Alber Family Scholarship for Civil and Construction Engineering was established in 2003 by Michelle and Ken Alber in respect for their ardent value for higher education. This scholarship is to be awarded to an undergraduate civil or construction engineering student with preference to one who demonstrates a commitment to academic studies and community service.
Ken Alber earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from The University of Akron in 1982. While at °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ, Ken was active with the Lambda Chi Fraternity. He valued the beyond-the-classroom experience gained from the fraternity's community service programs and established enduring friendships and brotherhood with his fraternity brothers. Ken also, holds an MBA degree.
Ken has enjoyed a well-versed career in civil engineering and commercial building, including his most recent venture in 2000 as founding partner of the PENTA Building Group. Today, PENTA Building Group is among the leading private commercial general contractors in the nation. The company, headquartered in Las Vegas, NV, also has operations in Reno, Palm Desert, Kona HI. The company was chosen as the "Contractor of the Year" by the Las Vegas Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America in 2005 and Entrepreneur of the Year by In Business Las Vegas. Engineering News Record ranked the firm as 163rd among the top 400 general contractors in the US. PENTA Building Group partners with The University of Akron in providing both cooperative education and full-time employment opportunities to °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ engineering students.
Ken and Michelle have an active family of four children - Ryan 18, Lauren 16, Brandon 13, and Chaston 13. They enjoy attending football and lacrosse games while still catching a Browns, Indians, or Buckeye game when the teams travel west.
The Alber Family Scholarship for Civil and Construction Engineering provides for an annual undergraduate scholarship to a deserving civil or construction engineering student who demonstrates outstanding personal characteristics, including a strong work ethic and a dedication to engineering and community service. The recipient will be an incoming or returning student with an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or better.
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