University of Akron

The University of Akron
Former names
 Buchtel College (1870–1913)
Motto Fiat Lux (Latin)
Motto in English
 Let there be light
Type Public
Established 1870
Academic affiliations
Endowment $238 million[1]
President John C. Green (interim)
Academic staff
 2,573
Undergraduates 18,802[2]
Postgraduates 2,837[2]
Location Akron, Ohio, United States
41°04′31″N 81°30′42″W / 41.075235°N 81.511538°W / 41.075235; -81.511538Coordinates: 41°04′31″N 81°30′42″W / 41.075235°N 81.511538°W / 41.075235; -81.511538
Campus Urban, 218 acres (0.88 km2)
Colors Blue and Gold[3]
         
Nickname Zips
Sporting affiliations
 NCAA Division I FBS – MAC
Mascot Zippy the Kangaroo
Website www.uakron.edu

The University of Akron is a public research university in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio.[4] As a STEM-focused institution, it focuses on industries such as polymers, advanced materials, and engineering.[5]

The University of Akron offers about 200 undergraduate[6] and more than 100 graduate majors[7] and has an enrollment of approximately 25,000 students. The university's College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering is housed in a 12-story reflective glass building near downtown Akron on the western edge of the main campus. UA’s Archives of the History of American Psychology[8] is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The university has three branch campuses: Wayne College in Orrville, Ohio, the Medina County University Center, in Lafayette Township, Ohio, and UA Lakewood, in the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood, Ohio. In addition, the university hosts nursing programs in affiliation with Lorain County Community College.[9]

History

John R. Buchtel, in front of Buchtel Hall

Buchtel College

In 1867, at the annual convention of the Universalist Church of the state of Ohio, the Committee on Education expressed an interest in founding a college compatible with Universalist religious principles. It was announced that the location would be given to those who could find an appropriate location and also supply $60,000 for the college. John R. Buchtel, a prominent Akron businessman and Universalist, promptly contributed $25,000 to the endowment fund and $6,000 to the building fund. This led other Akronites to donate, setting the goal and securing Akron as the location for Buchtel College, named after its greatest supporter. John R. Buchtel continued to be the college's most significant contributor, giving $500,000 over his lifetime, approximately equivalent to $16 million today. When the university opened in 1872 it was a single-building campus, housed in what is now known as "Old Buchtel." George Washington Crouse donated $10,000 of the $20,000 needed to build a new gymnasium, completed in 1888. It was named Crouse Gymnasium in his honor, and was known as "the finest gym west of the Alleghenies."[10]

Tragedy struck the small college on December 20, 1899, when Old Buchtel burned to the ground. Insurance only covered $65,000 of the estimated $100,000 in loss. While new campus buildings were being constructed, the Crouse Gymnasium was divided into seven classrooms and served as the college until a new Buchtel Hall was opened in 1901. The new Buchtel Hall, which itself was gutted by fire in 1971, survives to this day but had some blackening on the exterior up until a 2011 restoration.

20th century

In 1907, the college shed its Universalist affiliation and became a non-denominational institution, in order to be able to receive funds from the Carnegie Foundation, which would not give funds to religiously affiliated schools. In 1913, Buchtel College trustees transferred the institution and its assets to the city of Akron, and Buchtel College became the Municipal University of Akron. At this time, the enrollment was 198 students. Tax money levied for the school and Akron's growing population led to strong growth for the university. Over the next several decades the university continued to add new buildings to accommodate its growing student population, acquiring more land through purchases and donations. In 1963, Governor Jim Rhodes approved the university as a state-assisted institution. Enrollment in 1964 was 10,000 students. In 1967, it fully became a state university, providing its current name as The University of Akron. In 2015, 25,117 students were enrolled at the University of Akron.

Recent expansion

University of Akron's Student union at night

During the tenure of its 15th president, Luis M. Proenza, the University of Akron underwent a $627 million construction project, called "A New Landscape for Learning."[11] A new football stadium, InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field, was also constructed on campus. The new stadium opened for its first game on September 12, 2009.[12] The stadium replaced the Rubber Bowl, which is 3 miles (4.8 km) from campus and was built in 1940.

The university purchased the Quaker Square Crowne Plaza Hotel and shopping complex and uses it as a residence hall space. The university did a land-swap with the city of Akron so that the city may find a new downtown hotel. This means the University of Akron campus is made up of 82 buildings on 222 acres (0.90 km2) near downtown Akron with a total property value of $1.84 billion.[13][14]

In 2015, the university removed over 200 positions as the result of a $6 million budget deficit. Subsequently, in May 2016, Moody’s Investors Service, downrated the university's bonds from stable to negative, because of low enrollment and high debts and pension burdens.[15] Moody's in 2018 upgraded the university's outlook to stable, citing improved enrollment, rising donations and steps to reduce expenses.[16]

Partnership

Polymers

The tire and rubber industry and the University of Akron have an overlapping history. Historically, several rubber corporations, such as Goodyear, Firestone, and Goodrich, had their headquarters in Akron. In 1909, the world’s first courses in rubber chemistry were offered at the university. The university is also credited with featuring the first College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering in the world, which was founded in 1988.

Academics

Bierce Library, the main campus library.

The University of Akron offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees, ranging from certificate to doctoral programs. The largest college of the university is the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. Bierce Library is the main campus library. It is named for Lucius Bierce, a Civil War era General, whose personal library constituted the first collection of the University Libraries.[17]

Undergraduate

The university offers about 200 undergraduate majors. In conjunction with the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), the university offers an accelerated six-year, BS/MD program.[18] The University of Akron is also the first and only university in the nation to offer a baccalaureate program in corrosion engineering.[19]

Williams Honors College

The University of Akron Honors College students earn degrees from any of the four-year accredited colleges in the university while receiving special advisement and having the opportunity to live in the Honors Complex, a resident hall exclusively for honors students. The University announced on February 3, 2016 that the college was renamed in honor of Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams.[20]

Graduate

The University of Akron currently offers more than 105 graduate degrees to approximately 4,000 graduate students.[21] The graduate schools at the University of Akron variously offer the Master's degree, PhD, J.D., and LL.M., among others. The Cleveland Clinic and University of Akron have formed the Integrated Bioscience Fellowship in Biomedicine. Fellowships will allow students to conduct cutting edge research at the University of Akron and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute while pursuing a PhD in Integrated Bioscience. Recipients of Fellowships will be able to work with faculty at both institutions.[22]

Law

The University of Akron School of Law was founded in 1921 as Akron Law School and became affiliated with the University in 1959, becoming fully accredited by the American Bar Association in 1961.[23] It has both day and evening full-time and part-time programs that lead to the J.D. and LL.M. The University of Akron School of Law is also one of only 22 institutions in America to offer the LL.M. in intellectual property, and one of two such programs in Ohio.[24]

Academic divisions

E. J. Thomas Hall on The University of Akron campus
Statue of Simon Perkins in front of the College of Business Administration

The University of Akron comprises the following colleges, schools, and campuses:

  • Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Business Administration
  • LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Health Professions, including the School of Nursing
  • School of Law
  • College of Polymer Science & Polymer Engineering
  • Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Honors College
  • The Graduate School
  • University College
  • Wayne College
  • College of Applied Science and Technology (formerly Summit College, formerly the Community and Technical College)

National rankings

  • The College of Business Administration's undergraduate business program was recently ranked by BusinessWeek magazine as being the 93rd best program in the United States, placing it in the top 6th percentile of all 1,600 such business programs in the country.[25]
  • UA's College of Engineering is the 3rd fastest growing college of its kind, and its Cooperative Education program is the 2nd oldest engineering co-op program in America.[26]
  • Engineering students met a real-world challenge in April 2008 by placing first in the Micro Class unmanned aerial vehicle competition sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers and again in 2014 by placing first in the Advanced Class, also setting a competition record for closest to the target.[27]

Research

The Goodyear Polymer Center on the University of Akron campus

Research at The University of Akron involves all colleges and numerous multi-disciplinary centers and labs. UA is perhaps best known for the application of polymer and advanced materials expertise in the fields of manufacturing, medical devices and technology, air filtration, advanced energy, emerging green technologies, and microelectronic and optical devices. Prominent research centers include:

  • The National Center for Education and Research on Corrosion and Materials Performance (NCERCAMP). Originally funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, NCERCAMP is the only center of its kind providing multi-disciplinary approaches to help government and industry develop solutions for corrosion and materials performance challenges.[28] UA is also home to the nation’s first corrosion engineering degree program in the country.[19]
  • The Conquer Chiari Research Center is focuses on Chiari malformation and improving the outcomes of patients.[29]
  • CenTiRe, the Center for Tire Research, is a National Science Foundation/University Cooperative Research Center and consortium of tire and tire-related industry members.[30]
  • State of Ohio Center of Excellence: Polymers and Advanced Functional Materials.
  • The Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics is a bipartisan research institute dedicated to increasing understanding of the political process with emphasis on political parties, grassroots activity, and ethical behavior.[31]

Athletics

The Akron Zips 2009 home opener against Morgan State.

The University of Akron's athletic teams are known as the "Zips," originally short for "Zippers," overshoes with zippers made in the 1920s and 1930s. The university's mascot is "Zippy," a kangaroo.[32] Zippy is one of eight female college mascots in the United States. Zippy won the title of Capital One National Mascot of the Year in 2007.

Akron facilities include InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field, the James A. Rhodes Arena, and the FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field.

In football, Akron's major rivalry is with Kent State University. In 2005, the Akron Zips football team won their first MAC championship, allowing them to compete for the Motor City Bowl, Akron's first Division I-A bowl game appearance where they lost to the University of Memphis.

In soccer, the Akron Zips men's soccer team, ranked number one throughout the 2009 regular season, went undefeated, making it to the NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship. The following season they secured the 2010 "College Cup" against the University of Louisville. This was the first NCAA national team championship won by the University of Akron.[33]

In 2009, the men's basketball team won the MAC Tournament title, defeating Buffalo in Cleveland at the Quicken Loans Arena 65–53, thus qualifying Akron for its first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 1986 and first as a MAC member.[34] In 2010, the team reached the MAC Tournament Championship game for the fourth straight year, but lost in overtime.[35] The Zips played in the postseason CBI tournament where they lost to Wisconsin–Green Bay 70–66.[36]

Greek life

The University of Akron is home to more than twenty fraternities and sororities. The Kappa Kappa Gamma Women's Sorority is the oldest continuous sorority chapter on the campus, and was locally founded in 1877.[37] The Lone Star Fraternity (Pi Kappa Epsilon) is the oldest local fraternity in the United States, and the only chapter in existence. Lone Star Fraternity was founded by W.V.N. Yates on February 22, 1882. The 135th anniversary was celebrated in 2017. Alpha Delta Pi was founded on the University of Akron's campus as "Sigma Delta Theta" in 1920 and at the time it was the oldest local sorority on campus. Sigma Delta Theta later became the Beta Tau chapter of Alpha Delta Pi in 1938.[38] In regards to the fraternities on campus, the Ohio Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta currently serves as the oldest continuous Greek Letter Organization on campus, having been founded in 1875.[39]

Notable people

Politics

Athletics

See also

  • University of Akron portal

References

  1. ↑ As of 2014. "Colleges – University of Akron". U.S. News & World Report.
  2. 1 2 "Enrollment Data". University of Akron. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "The proper use of UA's logo : The University of Akron". Uakron.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
  4. ↑ "College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering - The University of Akron". Archived from the original on 2009-04-28. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
  5. ↑ "Strategic Plan - Report". Archived from the original on 2009-05-30. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  6. ↑ "Academics & majors at UA : The University of Akron". uakron.edu.
  7. ↑ "The University of Akron : An Error Occurred". uakron.edu. Archived from the original on 2005-07-01. Retrieved 2005-07-17.
  8. ↑ "Center for the History of Psychology". The University of Akron Center for the History of Psychology.
  9. ↑ "Lorain County Community College - University of Akron Bachelor's Degree Programs" Archived 2010-05-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 15, 2010
  10. ↑ Old Crouse gym served Akron campus Ohio.com Retrieved September 12, 2010
  11. ↑ "Campus Then and Now : The University of Akron". uakron.edu.
  12. ↑ "University of Akron stadium home page".
  13. ↑ Quick Facts: "Brief History of the University" Retrieved September 22, 2010
  14. ↑ "Quick Facts" - uakron.edu Archived 2007-06-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 22, 2010
  15. ↑ Fernanda Zamudio-Suaréz, "U. of Akron’s Financial Outlook Is Downgraded to ‘Negative’ by Moody’s" Chronicle of Higher Education May 11, 2015, accessed June 28, 2016
  16. ↑ https://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2018/03/university_of_akrons_financial_1.html
  17. ↑ Info on Libraries Archived 2009-04-29 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed May 10th, 2009
  18. ↑ Archived January 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  19. 1 2 https://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/06/university_of_akron_expands_ce.html
  20. ↑ UA announces the Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Honors College Accessed February 3, 2016
  21. ↑ "The Graduate School". uakron.edu.
  22. ↑ "Graduate Programs at the Lerner Research Institute and University of Akron". ccf.org.
  23. ↑ ABA Info Archived 2009-04-29 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on June 22, 2009
  24. ↑ "LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law" index Archived 2009-04-08 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on June 22, 2009
  25. ↑ "Top Business School Rankings: MBA, Undergrad, Executive & Online MBA - Businessweek". Businessweek.com. Archived from the original on September 16, 2013.
  26. ↑ Engineering news Accessed June 8th, 2009
  27. ↑ "Collegiate Design Series – Aero Design® Series – Results and Awards". SAE International.
  28. ↑ https://www.uakron.edu/ncercamp/
  29. ↑ http://ccrc.uakron.edu/
  30. ↑ https://centire.org/
  31. ↑ https://www.uakron.edu/bliss/
  32. ↑ "Zippy's home page : The University of Akron". uakron.edu.
  33. ↑ Archived December 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  34. ↑ "Freshman guard Hitchens sparks Akron to its first NCAA tourney berth since 1986". ESPN.com.
  35. ↑ "Ohio overcomes Akron in overtime, earns improbable NCAA tournament bid". ESPN.com.
  36. ↑ "Green Bay Phoenix vs. Akron Zips - Box Score - March 17, 2010 - ESPN". ESPN.com.
  37. ↑ "Lambda Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma". kappakappagamma.org. Archived from the original on 2014-07-13. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
  38. ↑ "ADPi". alphadeltapi.org. Archived from the original on 2015-02-26. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  39. ↑ "Our Chapter - Ohio Epsilon". phideltatheta.org.
  40. ↑ "Quinn and Brenes Join MLS Ranks On Day Two Of SuperDraft". gozips.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
  41. ↑ Beaven, Michael. "World champion pole vaulter Shawn Barber turns pro, forgoes final year of eligibility at UA by signing contract with Nike". www.ohio.com. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
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