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An artist's rendering of the future Swagelok Career Center, part of a new "front door" to the College of Engineering. The center is possible because of a $1.25 million gift from the Fred A. Lennon Charitable Trust.

THE FRED A. LENNON CHARITABLE TRUST will provide The University of Akron $500,000 in engineering scholarships and $750,000 to renovate existing space into a technology-rich Swagelok Career Center as the new “front door” to the College of Engineering.

“The scholarship support from the Lennon Trust will allow the College of Engineering to recruit and retain an even greater number of top engineering students in Ohio,” says George K. Haritos, dean of the College of Engineering. “The planned renovations will help us meet the increasing demand from industry seeking to recruit quality engineering students in co-op and full-time positions.”

The Lennon Trust, named in honor of Swagelok founder Fred A. Lennon, has presented scholarships to °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ engineering since 2011. Swagelok Engineering Scholarships, which provide recipients up to $3,000 a year and are renewable for one year, are geared to attract and retain exceptional engineering students. Freshman scholars must have a minimum SAT composite test score of 2040 with a minimum score of 700 in math or an ACT composite score of 31with a minimum of 30 in math, as well as a high school cumulative GPA of 3.75 or better.

Graduates who contribute quickly

“Investing in student development goes far beyond ensuring that students have exceptional technical skills, but also a strong foundation in teamwork and collaboration,” says Arthur F. Anton, president and chief executive officer of Swagelok Company. “We are proud to support The University of Akron in its mission to graduate engineers who are able to make an immediate impact to their employers.”

The donation makes possible the future Swagelok Career Center in the Auburn Science and Engineering Center, which will add three interview rooms and a conference room to accommodate company recruitment and career-building workshops. The new career center will provide space for students to meet with company recruiters when they come to campus and provide video conferencing for distance interviews when campus visits are not possible. The center also will serve as a space for students to collaborate on team projects using technology aids and to receive tutoring and mentoring.

“Our office works with nearly 1,500 engineering students each year for both co-op and full-time employment. The new space will allow for an increased number of on-campus interviews, which will help our students land the right employment experience,” says Deanna Dunn, director of engineering co-op and placement, adding that the °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ College of Engineering places more than 92 percent of its students in full-time employment within six months of graduation.

Media contacts: Denise Henry, 330-972-6477 or henryd@uakron.edu or Lisa Craig, 330-972-7429 or lmc91@uakron.edu.