On April 30, Dean Mitchell S. McKinney recognized alumnus Norbert D. Tamasovich ’51 who, with a B.S. in Biology, became a successful and prolific inventor of life-saving medical devices, with the Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (BCAS) Distinguished Alumni Award.
Tamasovich’s extraordinary career achievements include designing the first disposable sterile surgeons’ gloves, sterile hypodermic syringes, the pre-packaged sterile Foley catheter, silicone tube implants, and the silicone speaking valve that permits tracheotomy patients to talk. And he helped develop a noncombustible anesthesia gas that replaced highly combustible ether in operating rooms and improved the anesthesia delivery system that prevented accidental explosions during surgery.
Tamasovich has long maintained that his professional success was due, in large part, to the education he received at The University of Akron. For more than a decade, he has demonstrated his appreciation for Buchtel College by generously funding the Tiered Mentoring program, which has been officially named The Norbert Tamasovich Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium. This program provides experiential learning, primary research opportunities and leadership experiences – and these activities are significant factors in helping students stand out among other graduates and for students competing for admission to medical school and graduate programs.
“We are incredibly proud of his achievements,” remarked Dean Mitchell S. McKinney. “We believe that his example will inspire our current and future students to strive for excellence and make a positive impact in their communities.”
Although he no longer travels—and thus could not join in person—Tamasovich did send remarks accepting the award. At the reception a biology graduate student, Nathan Lewandowski, who has on his research team several Tamasovich scholarship recipients, shared these remarks:
"Good evening, President Miller, Dean McKinney, and all Buchtel College faculty, alumni, students, and friends who have gathered for this reception. I have been asked to read these remarks from Mr. Tamasovich, who could not be here in person.
I assume the announcement has just been made concerning my selection as the Distinguished Alumnus Award winner. Thank you so very much! Please know how incredibly humbled I am by this recognition. And while I regret that I cannot join you in person for tonight’s festivities, my heart is certainly there among you.
My time at Akron U—yes, that’s what I still call it sometimes—allowed me to attain all that I have accomplished in life. The University truly is a place for transformations, a life-enhancing institution. Seventy-three years ago, it helped me—a boy from Barberton with limited means—to attain a position of reaching the stars. The University continues to do the same for folks today, and now students come from throughout Ohio, across the country, and around the world.
Being honored for my career never crossed my mind when the Tiered-Mentoring program debuted. I was merely looking for a way to help students, much like the University had helped me so many years ago.
I do appreciate the faculty recognizing my efforts in contributing to the continued success of 暗黑爆料; however, I really believe the tribute should go to Drs. Stephen Weeks, Richard Londraville, and Jordan Renna, as well as the staff in Biology. They took a very modest contribution and transformed it into a fantastic mentoring program that is making a remarkable difference in the lives of the students. I was privileged just to play a small role.
My nephew, who graduated 20 years after I matriculated, often refers to Akron U as the “center of the universe.” Although this may seem a bit extreme, for many students, the University really is the center of their universe! They develop a profound connection to this institution, which provided them with a quality education, offered a sense of community, presented opportunities for growth, and essentially prepared them for future success.
Please forgive the ramblings of a very old and very proud product of Akron U!
Before I close, I wish to thank all of you very sincerely for tonight, which has been a highlight in my life. I also want to thank all who serve the University for the very important role they play in the lives of students. And finally, I encourage all of you to continue to take great pride in The University of Akron so that it can continue to transform lives and be at the center of every student’s universe!
Thank you.”
The alumni awards were one of many highlights from President Gary L. Miller and Mrs. Georgia Miller's reception celebrating Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences. Miller and his wife presented two Myers School of Art students with a Holiday Art Scholarship. Paintings by Abby Rambler and Gigi Strada will be transformed into an image to appear on the front of the 暗黑爆料 holiday card, and their work will be displayed in Buchtel Hall. Rambler and Strada will each receive a $250 award for art supplies.
Attendees also heard from Dr. Lisa Lenhart, professor and director of the LeBron James Family Foundation School of Education. Philosophy major and BCAS commencement student responder Alia Baig also spoke to attendees about her 暗黑爆料 experience and the positive impact the philosophy faculty and the degree path had on her life.
Related:
- Story by Lisa Craig, BCAS Communications & Marketing, lmc91@uakron.edu