Displaying items by tag: university of akron

On this Wednesday edition of The Jasen Sokol Show, Jasen spoke with Dr. Karl Kalthenthaler from the University of Akron on the Iran situation (00:20). Jasen also listened in to President Trump's address on that situation as well (12:27). As always, the Dope of the Day was spotlighted (21:56).

A former University of Akron basketball player is suing the school and head coach John Groce, claiming that the University "failed to remedy the discriminatory, hostile environment" on the team.

Mark Kostelac claims that he was the victim of discrimination because he's white and Catholic on a primarily African American basketball team. That, Kostelac says, led to a fight that led to him needing surgery.

The University has released a statement stating that UA "is committed to fostering an environment of inclusion for all students."

Read more from the Akron Beacon Journal here. 

On this Wednesday edition of The Jasen Sokol Show, Jasen speaks with Dan Rambler of Akron Public Schools regarding the recent incident at North High School (00:21). Alex Pavlov of the Ohio Young Republicans talks about President Trump's reelection campaign on the University of Akron campus (11:26). Johnny Iguana of the Claudettes also stops by to talk about blu jazz and his upcoming show (16:00).

The University of Akron has a new President.

He is Gary L. Miller, who is currently the Channcellor at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, and will start his new job in Akron on October 1st.

You can find the University's official announcement below. Click here to see the press conference where they live-streamed the announcement on Facebook.

_________________

(University of Akron) - The University of Akron Board of Trustees today announced the selection of Gary L. Miller, Ph.D., as the University’s 18th president. Miller currently serves as Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. He will assume duties in Akron on Oct. 1, 2019.

“After a careful, thorough and inclusive candidate search, our Board of Trustees unanimously chose Dr. Miller to lead The University of Akron into the future,” said Board Chair Joseph M. Gingo. “Dr. Miller has an outstanding record as an effective higher education leader and consensus builder. He brings not only two decades of senior-level higher education leadership, but also first-hand experience as a member of the teaching faculty and as a researcher. My Board colleagues and I believe he is the right person at the right time to lead our University.”

Interim President Dr. John C. Green will continue in his current role until October, then serve as special assistant to the president for strategy and transition until Jan. 31, 2020. While serving as special assistant to Miller, Dr. Green also will retain his titles of director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, and distinguished professor of political science.

President-elect Miller said, “I am honored and excited by the prospect of leading the faculty and staff of The University of Akron. They have done much in a very short time to ready this University for reaffirmation, renewal, innovation and growth. I see a university well positioned for the creative institutional and community discussions needed to develop a new, forward-projecting design.”

Miller has served as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay since 2014. His administrative credentials also include roles as chancellor of the University of North Carolina Wilmington; provost and vice president for academic affairs and research at Wichita State University; and dean of the College of the Pacific (arts and sciences) at the University of the Pacific.

He earned a doctorate in biological sciences from Mississippi State University, and co-authored the widely used textbook, Ecology, while serving as a professor and chair of the biology department at the University of Mississippi. Miller earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in biology from the College of William and Mary. He and his wife, Georgia, have three adult children.

Additional information about Dr. Miller is available on the president-elect webpage.

Board Chair Gingo said, “I want to extend my thanks to Board members and the elected leaders of the six key university constituency groups who participated in the presidential search process. These individuals provided valuable insights, opinions and observations that helped inform the Board’s selection of Dr. Miller.”

Interim President Green added, “I commend the selection committee on a fine choice for this vital position. The selection of Dr. Miller as the 18th president of this University is cause for great optimism and enthusiasm.”

Ray Cross, President, University of Wisconsin System added, “Gary has been an effective leader as UW-Green Bay’s Chancellor, helping grow enrollment while elevating UW-Green Bay’s standing as a strong regional comprehensive institution within the UW System.  His leadership was instrumental in developing and implementing mission changes that were responsive to state and regional needs.  As important, he was extraordinarily successful in community engagement, helping build relationships that not only benefit us now, but will serve us well into the future.  We wish him the best.”

The UA Board has appointed a Presidential Transition Committee led by Board Chair Gingo that includes Trustees Lewis W. Adkins, Jr., Alfred V. Ciraldo, Olivia P. Demas and Student Trustee Taylor Bennington. The committee will coordinate President-elect Miller’s meetings with University and local leaders, as well as other aspects of the seven-week transition period.

(UA) Akron, OH – Aug. 8, 2019 – The University of Akron’s (UA) Student Recreation and Wellness Center is helping the Akron community get healthier by offering lower rates and new membership options to area residents. In addition to 50% rate reductions for both the annual and six-month membership package, community members now have the option to sign up for new monthly or three-month memberships.

Membership options for community members (must be at least 18 years old) include:

• Annual — $325 (includes payment plans)
• Six-month — $252
• Three-month — $146
• Monthly — $54

As an additional bonus, community members who commit to three-month, six-month, or annual memberships will also get a free parking pass for the East Campus Parking Deck on Spicer and Carroll streets.. Paid parking is also available in campus lots 8, 9, 10, and 13.

“We are excited to share our amazing facilities and programs with the greater-Akron and surrounding communities,” said John MacDonald, director of student recreation and wellness services. “With opportunities in fitness, wellness, group exercise, rock climbing, personal training, and two pool facilities, we have a depth and breadth not found at most centers. The launch of a new community membership program will allow area residents to join us on their journey of positive health and wellness. We all have an opportunity to develop healthy habits and lifestyles. Come ‘Do What Moves You’ at UA’s Student Recreation and Wellness Center.” 

With a membership, community members can access the center’s 200 pieces of cardio and strength-building equipment, 53-foot climbing rock wall, 1/10-mile indoor track, five gymnasiums, leisure pool with a lazy river, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and free group exercise classes. Community members are unable to participate in intramural sports, club sports, and outdoor adventure trips.

Membership to UA’s Student Recreation and Wellness Center can be purchased at the information office in the center, 450 Carroll St., Akron, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday.

In February, the recreation center was featured on a list ranking the “50 Great college Gymnasiums and Recreation Centers for 2019” by Great Value Colleges.

On the Tuesday edition of the Jasen Sokol Show Podcast:

Dr. Karl Kaltenthaler from the University of Akron spoke with Jasen about Russia and politics (16.1 seconds) 

Justin Chesnic of ODOT spoke about the Howe Avenue construction project (15;47) 

Love is in the air for one of our favorite local mascots... Well, TWO of them... 

(The University of Akron) The U.S. Army positions itself as “Army Strong,” an expression that can go beyond distinguishing the men and women in the service branch who spend long nights on patrol or parachute out of airplanes into combat.

“Army Strong” can also describe one of The University of Akron’s most enduring programs – Akron Army ROTC, which turns 100 years old this academic year.

In 1918, just a month after the end of the First World War, UA President Dr. Parke Kolbe and the Board of Trustees applied to the U.S. Department of War to establish a reserved officers’ training corps unit at the University. The following year, the Board approved a resolution to agree to the mandates and responsibilities set by the War Department in order to maintain its new ROTC program.

Striving to be the best

Lt. Col. Trevor S. Liverpool

Over the past century, Akron ROTC, also known as the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Battalion, has continued to meet, and even exceed, those mandates. In fact, Akron ROTC still encompasses a four-year academic curriculum, annual summer training camps at Fort Knox, and cadets still train on Buchtel Field on Brown Street where yesteryear’s cadets once trained.

“Our program has performed well to meet the standards of the U.S. Army because we want to be the best in the country,” said Lt. Col. Trevor S. Liverpool, commander of Akron ROTC and chair of the Military Science and Leadership Department. “Akron ROTC was recognized this summer as the top-performing program in the critical area of cadet evaluations in our brigade. And last year, an Akron cadet was the distinguished graduate for Airborne. So, the determination to be among the best in the country has contributed to Akron ROTC’s success and longevity.”

Compulsory start

Cadet Alex Spangler, a senior majoring in respiratory therapy, demonstrates the proper way to safely disassemble and maintain a rifle during weapons familiarization and safety training in Schrank Hall South at a leadership lab.

UA’s program, originally proposed as a volunteer course, was compulsory for all freshman and sophomore male students from fall 1919 until 1972. The four-year curriculum consisted of field fortifications, hippology (the study of horses), field sanitation, map reading and infantry tactics. Cadets began attending summer camp at Fort Knox in Kentucky in 1923, and most new officers attended six months of full-time training before serving part-time in the Army Reserve.

After World War II, the U.S. Air Force established a separate ROTC detachment at UA in 1947. (In June 2005, the detachment was integrated with Kent State University’s Air Force ROTC program.) Also, veterans took advantage of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (aka the G.I. Bill) to fund their higher education at Akron ROTC, which commissioned its 1,000th graduate in 1955.

Female students held supportive roles in auxiliary groups in the early days of Akron ROTC, but they didn’t participate as cadets until the fall of 1970. Anne Marie (Connell) Freund ‘77 was the program’s first female graduate and the first female cadet commander of troops at UA. Female cadets now participate from across all majors and make up 41 percent of student participation in Akron ROTC.

Career launcher

Today, Akron ROTC has 112 undergraduate and graduate students, many of them pursing degrees in physical sciences, nursing, business and liberal arts.

ROTC is a college elective program where cadets can pursue the degree of their choice while learning valuable leadership skills. Upon completion of a degree, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army and receive an average starting salary of about $51,000. Graduates can choose to serve in active duty, the Army Reserve or the National Guard.

Over the past 15 years, UA has supplemented funding from the U.S. Army with slightly more than $4 million in generous scholarships that assist with expenses such as tuition, fees and books.

“Akron ROTC provides unmatched apprenticeship in leadership; students are given a chance to challenge themselves to meet standards in accordance with the Army’s Leadership Requirements Model,” said Liverpool. “This model focuses on not only what a leader knows, but also what a leader does and what attributes they possess. Akron ROTC is an immersive program, from freshman all the way to senior years. It is designed to give the students and cadets leadership experience in real-life situations, so they become agile and adaptive. We produce some of the best cadets in the nation.”

University of Akron officials are calling a frightening, and potentially more severe, incident that led to the brief lockdown of the campus more than a week ago a "teaching moment," that all students can learn from.

In the early morning hours of November 10th, a gun went off in a dorm in the Exchange Street Residence Hall. Two teens from Bedford, who were let in by two University of Akron students, were involved in the incident; one of them, a 17-year-old had the gun that accidentally went off and shot the second man, a 19-year-old.

Now, the two students who let those two non-UA students into the dorms, are barred from UA dorms and are charged with obstructing justice.

Reports are those students lied about letting the others in, but security cameras caught them doing just that.

The University of Akron was locked down briefly after a gun accidentally went off in a dorm at the Exchange Street Residence Hall early Saturday morning.

According to UA Police, the call of a gunshot that was heard coming from a campus dorm was made about 12:30 a.m. Saturday. When police arrived, they found that a 19-year-old from Bedford was shot in the stomach after a gun that a 17-year-old was carrying and reportedly went off accidentally.

The victim, identified as Tommy Micah Lavette was transported to Akron General, there's been no update on his injuries. The 17-year-old suspect, whose name hasn't been released, was arrested, charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, and taken to Summit County Juvenile Center.

The lockdown was lifted around 2:15 Saturday morning. Meanwhile, the investigation into the incident is reportedly still ongoing.

Below is the full press release from the University of Akron. 

--

The University of Akron (UA) cares deeply about our campus community, and we are steadfast in our commitment to the safety and security of our students, employees, visitors and guests.

The University of Akron Police Department’s preliminary investigation of an incident that occurred early this morning shows that two non-University of Akron individuals were let into the Exchange Street Resident Hall late Friday evening or early Saturday morning by as-yet unidentified person(s). During a visit to a room of an acquaintance in the residence hall, there was what appears to have been an accidental discharge of a handgun, resulting in a wound to the abdomen of the victim, 19-year old Tommy Micah Lavette of Bedford, Ohio. He was transported to Akron General Cleveland Clinic Hospital where he is being treated for his injury. No one else was injured. The suspect, a 17-year old male, also of Bedford, was taken into custody and transported to the Summit County Juvenile Center. He has been charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm. Both the police investigation and the University’s review of the incident are ongoing.

UA prohibits firearms in residence halls and requires resident students to have responsibility for the actions of any guests. This incident underscores the importance of this policy.

We understand that this situation was very concerning for many people and University representatives from the Division of Student Affairs and Residence Life and Housing have been on scene and providing support to other UA students. They also will be discussing campus safety and additional ways to improve our efforts with students in the days ahead.

We appreciate the cooperation of all parties as University officials and the University of Akron Police Department (UAPD) continue the investigation. As a community, we also encourage students to remain diligent advocates for safety.  If you have information that can assist investigators, please notify UAPD at 330-972-2911.  

Counselors will be available for students by calling 330-972-7082 or visiting Simmons Hall 306 on Monday. Students seeking immediate assistance should contact Residence Life staff who will connect them to the counselor on-call.

Thirteen current and former University of Akron students are suing the University because the marriage counseling and therapy program in which they were enrolled, lost dual accreditation.

According to the report from Cleveland.com, $25,000 in damages is being sought. The group of students claim they lost money by having to take on debt for things like student loans, and moving expenses, and that the University engaged in unfair consumer practices to encourage them to enroll in the program.

University officials say they're still reviewing the complaint, and note that program still has accreditation from one educational commision.

On the Tuesday edition of the Sam and Brad Show Podcast,  the guys dove into the ALDS between the Indians and Astros, as well as Zips football and the Cleveland Browns.

6.8 seconds Doug Dieken of the Cleveland Browns Radio Network joined the Sam and Brad Show to talk about the loss to the Raiders and looked ahead to the Baltimore Ravens matchup on Sunday

12:16 The guys debated about the two young quarterbacks that have the league talking, Baker Mayfield of the Browns and Patrick Mahomes II of the Kansas City Chiefs. Which one would you take?

17:09  Head football coach Terry Bowden of the University of Akron Zips joined the show to talk about the home game vs Miami (OH) on Saturday.

25:56 The guys get you primed for the ALDS Game #1 in Houston between the Indians and Astros.

Zips head football coach Terry Bowden spoke with Sam and Brad to talk about the win over Northwestern this past weekend and the upcoming game against Iowa State. 

University of Akron Athletic Director Larry Williams joined the Sam and Brad Show to shed some light on the cancelled Akron/Nebraska game from this weekend.

(University of Akron) City of Akron and University of Akron police are asking for any information you may have related to two incidents that occurred between 3:15 and 4:15 a.m. today behind businesses in the 400 block of East Exchange Street.

In the first incident, a victim was reported to have been shot in the leg. The suspect is described as a light skinned black male wearing red pants with a white stripe and a white shirt. The victim, who is not a student, is being treated.

In the second incident, four or five men reportedly robbed a man and fled south of Exchange. The victim, also not a student, said he saw a gun. The suspects were described as black, possibly all wearing green bandannas. One was wearing gray sweats, a green bandanna and had short dreadlocks.

If you know anything about this incident, please call City of Akron police detectives at 330-375-2490.

You can submit a tip confidentially to police by texting it to 274637 (CRIMES), and beginning the message with the keyword ZIPTIP. You may also submit a tip confidentially online to provide more detailed information, including images. All the ways you can submit a tip confidentially.

The University sends these advisories to encourage students and employees to take precautions and to submit any tips they may have. Previous advisories have prompted people to submit valuable tips that have led to arrests.

The UA Police Department's Campus Patrol is available to escort you to and from your car to classrooms and labs at any hour. Call the service at 330-972-7123.

Our officers patrol campus and the neighborhoods near campus around the clock. See safety recommendations from our police

University of Akron head football coach Terry Bowden spoke with Sam Bourquin about the Zips' season opener in Lincoln against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The University of Akron announced big changes Wednesday, revealing that it would cut around 80 degree programs while placing higher emphasis on programs such as polymer science that the university is best known for.

The plan, which calls for the hiring of new faculty members in several departments without laying off any current staff, will be phased in over a period of a few years so current students can complete their degrees.

Dr. John Green, interim president of The University of Akron, joined The Jasen Sokol Show to explain the changes and how the university plans to keep up with the changing landscape in higher education.

(University of Akron) Tanya may be small, but she’s mighty. In her sleek Yellowjacket-esque jersey that’s black with yellow trim (which proudly bears the name of her hometown — Akron), she zips around like a small wasp. She’s becoming quite the worldly athlete, having faced opponents in Canada and now more in Europe.

(SEE VIDEO BELOW) 

As an open-wheel formula racecar, Tanya is the most important member of Zips Racing, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Formula Team at The University of Akron (UA).

Properly named ZR18, “Tanya” is with her student engineers in Hockenheim, Germany, all this week for the Formula Student Germany competition. Just days prior, Zips Racing placed 21st overall out of 30 teams at Formula Student Austria in Spielberg, Austria. It’s the only U.S. team to compete in both European competitions this year (after having passed rigorous qualifications).

Zips Racing is one of about 100 student SAE teams in the U.S. that competes against other universities from around the globe. The team has nearly 40 members, a dozen of which are attending the competitions in Europe.

“Once you are bitten by the Formula SAE bug, it’s hard not to spend a lot of time with it; it becomes your passion,” said team captain Ezra Malernee, a senior mechanical engineering technology major. “I truly believe that the young men and women that come from Zips Racing are (some of) the best engineers and business students that are enrolled at the University, and (help to) put Akron on the map.”

The organization developed in 1989 when UA’s formula combustion team was formed. The first competition was in Lawrence, Mich. in May 1990. The team placed 15th out of 42 teams.

Zips Racing is funded primarily through UA’s College of Engineering, along with donations from foundations and local sponsors. Beasts like the ZR18 vehicle cost around $80,000 to build. The racecar sports specially designed Formula SAE tires from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and has an improved aerodynamics package from last year’s model, resulting in a 30 percent increase in downforce. Its top speed is 60 mph.

Racecars entered in Formula SAE racing events are judged on such factors as cost, innovation, acceleration, design and other aspects.

“Being a team member of Zips Racing is a real commitment,” said Daniel Deckler, student design teams adviser and a professor of engineering. “Through the course of a year, students will spend thousands of hours — often working through the night — designing and manufacturing the vehicles. This is truly a hands-on learning experience because the students learn skills in electronics, aerodynamics, chassis construction and mechanical engineering, and develop soft skills like project management.”

Before the European competitions, Zips Racing placed sixth out of 114 teams – outranking all U.S. teams – at Formula SAE Michigan in Brooklyn, Mich., in May, and ninth at Formula North 2018 in Ontario, Canada, in June. UA’s team was the only one from Ohio to finish in the top 10 in either competition.

Zips Racing is one of several successful student design teams in the College of Engineering at UA, which is the only university in the U.S. to have Formula, Baja, Human-Powered Vehicle, Concrete Canoe and Robotics teams all place in the top 10 in at least one of their respective competitions in the 2017-18 season.

“It is an incredible testament to UA’s College of Engineering that we are the only American engineering college that has this many top-ten finishes in this many competitions,” said Deckler. “And this happens year after year; this year isn’t just a fluke.”

For more information about Zips Racing, visit the organization’s website or keep up with the team on its Facebook page. 

A power outage affecting a portion of the University of Akron campus this morning.

According to Christine Boyd with UA, the outage is only affeting three residence halls, and no students are currently living there, as Fall Semester doesn't start for a couple of weeks yet.

Boyd says power should be restored to Bulger, Orr, and Ritchie Halls by Wednesday. No word on the cause of the outage yet.

The ever-increasing cost of paying for college is a burden some students and families are struggling to take on year-in and year-out.

Textbooks alone have gone up more than 1,000 percent since 1977. With that in mind, a group of higher education faculty and staff are gathering this week at the University of Akron to discuss practical ways to reduce the cost of textbooks for students.

The inaugural OhioLINK statewide Affordable Learning Summit is tomorrow (Thursday) from 8:15 a.m. through 4 p.m. at teh Jean Hower Taber Student Union and will feature educators from across the state. 

See the full press release from UA below: 

Akron, OH – August 1, 2018 – Akron, OH – August 1, 2018 – Anyone who's been to college knows the struggle: textbooks can be expensive. The cost of textbooks over the last 30 years has continued to soar, outpacing the consumer price index by three to four times the rate of inflation. In fact, since 1977, the cost of textbooks has risen 1,041 percent. 

Educators in higher education will gather this week at The University of Akron (UA) to focus on reducing textbook costs for students. The inaugural OhioLINK state-wide Affordable Learning Summit is designed to foster information sharing among institutions in Ohio that have affordable-learning initiatives. The event will be held on Thursday, Aug. 2, from 8:15 to 4 p.m. in the Jean Hower Taber Student Union 

Making high quality course materials available for free or at minimal cost to students is part of a growing national trend — the Open Educational Resources Movement. UA is emerging as a leader in the trend, having launched an Affordable Learning website earlier this year. Designed as a central gathering place for faculty to share information and experiences on finding, and accessing, free or affordable course materials for their students, it also highlights examples of students’ cost savings, thanks to their professors’ efforts. The initiative is a collaboration of University Libraries, the Institute for Teaching and Learning, University Council’s Textbook Committee and the University Bookstore.

“This summit is unique in that it brings together and addresses the different approaches to affordable learning in one venue,” notes Dr. Aimée deChambeau, dean of University Libraries at UA. “I am particularly excited about the level of collaboration across the state this initiative has inspired. We have leadership from OhioLINK, the Academic Library Association of Ohio, our campus libraries and bookstores, and a wide variety of faculty involved in this event.”

For many faculty on the UA campus, like Dr. Kristine N. Kraft, the effort to reduce the cost of course materials has been ongoing for some time. 

“The need to lower textbook costs is essential,” notes Kraft, an associate professor and interim director of the School of Allied Health Technology in the College of Health Professions. “This does involve some work on the faculty’s part. A faculty member needs to be aware of all the options that are available to them and the students. The process to go open source may be daunting, but if someone starts in small increments, it is a great process.”

Kraft, who also is program director of medical assisting, says they’ve been able to get a bundle price on the books their students must have by working directly with the University Bookstore and the publisher of the books.

“In a program-specific course, we have chosen to use all open source documents,” Kraft continues. “This has been over a five-year implementation. Every year, we have added more and more information, and, after numerous years, we have completely gone open source. By doing this, we have saved the student over $150 a semester, with just one book. This is a course where the book will change often as the information changes often.” 

Prior to the all-day event on Aug. 2, a free and optional half-day pre-summit will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 1. It is designed for individuals — such as librarians, instructional designers and administrators — to learn about open educational resources, open textbooks and copyright.

For the schedule and registration information, visit the Affordable Learning Summit online.

For more information on UA mediation courses, visit www.uakron.edu/cfs or contact Dr. Schulze at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Register at https://commerce.cashnet.com/FAMSTU

The University of Akron has a new women's basketball coach.

Melissa Jackson was officially named the head coach this week,taking over for the all-time winningest coach in Zips history, Jodi Kest.

Jackson joined the Sam and Brad Show to talk about the new gig and how she plans on putting her stamp on the program. 

It has been a busy few weeks, but Dr. John Green is settling into his new job as president of the University of Akron. Dr. Green, also the director of the Bliss Institute and a frequent guest on the Ray Horner Morning Show, joined the program in studio to discuss what is on his plate. A major focus of Dr. Green’s is finding creative ways for enrollment. Other areas of focus have been working with the athletic department on the use of InfoCision Stadium, as well as fighting the deficit that has loomed over the school.

Akron fire has confirmed that one person is dead after Monday morning house fire at 675 Grant Street, near the University of Akron. 

The victim, identified as 26-year-old Kevin McCollum of Grant Street, was found in a second floor bedroom, while two other people who lived in the home made it out. It is believed that the fire started in that bedroom where firefighters found McCollum, around 4:45 a.m. Monday. 

McCollum was a former University of Akron student, attending from August 2010 through December 2015. While initial reports indicated that the home was occupied by University of Akron students, a spokesman for UA clarified that none of the residents of the home were current students at the school. In addition to McCollum, another resident had graduated from UA in the Spring of 2016. The third never attended the school.  

Meanwhile, the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. 

After 12 seasons coaching at the University of Akron, 34 overall, head women's basketball coach Jodi Kest is retiring.

She joined Sam and Brad Thursday to talk about her career and latest ventures. 

We at 1590 WAKR wish Jodi the best in all of her future endeavors. 

In a letter to the University of Akron community, President Matthew Wilson announced that he will step down from his role as President, effective July 31, 2018, saying he will rejoin the school of law as a full-time faculty member. 

Read the letter President Wilson wrote below: 

Over the past few weeks, there have been many conversations about what my inclusion as a finalist in the University of Central Florida presidential search might mean. My sincerest apologies for any concern that this may have caused. With the search now complete, I want to address these conversations and talk about the future.

As I previously mentioned, the invitation to apply for the UCF presidency caught my interest due to our roots in the Orlando area and the opportunities associated with this once-in-a lifetime chance at the largest university in the country. Please know how much I sincerely appreciate those who reached out with words of gratitude, understanding, and support during the search process. I strongly believe that my inclusion as a finalist in the UCF presidential search is a testament to The University of Akron (UA), its strengths, and its recent progress. In fact, many eyes across the country focused on UA’s achievements, academic programs, research, and innovative initiatives and they were impressed with our University.

As I look back over my past four years at UA, it truly has been an honor to dedicate my heart, strength, soul, and mind to serving the institution in an effort to assist students, stabilize matters, overcome challenges, generate new opportunities, and lead UA to even greater heights. I first served as Dean of Akron Law until the Board of Trustees approached me nearly two years ago about serving as interim president. From the start, my family and I have tirelessly committed ourselves to UA and its success. Of course, the road has been very demanding, especially as we concurrently helped our youngest son successfully fight through a battle with an aggressive pediatric cancer. It has been a privilege to join so many extraordinary people within the UA family to collectively make a difference for our students and community.

Through the efforts of many in the University community, we have made remarkable progress amid challenging circumstances. We have continued to help students succeed and strengthened vital relationships. We have reminded the community, state, and world about the University’s value, benefits, and advantages. We have made progress on the budgetary front, including a $42 million one-year budgetary turnaround last year and increased donations. We have enhanced affordability (Akron Guarantee Scholarship) and international opportunities (International Center) as well as added innovative approaches (esports program and Five Star Fridays), new degrees (Cybersecurity), and flexible learning options. UA has returned to a state of positivity and optimism. Going forward, I am confident that bright times are ahead for UA, particularly if everyone maintains an innovative and creative mindset.

Our short-term strategies have been noteworthy. We also have laid the foundation for longer term plans. Last fall, UA initiated a comprehensive, faculty-led review of our academic programs. That effort is proceeding as scheduled. The Faculty Senate will receive the results soon, prior to determinations by the administration and Board. Additional initiatives (especially our dashboard tools)  provide us with the data and analysis needed to engage in a thoughtful, collaborative process to determine our future direction. In keeping with our commitment to shared governance, successful strategic planning requires a university-wide, inclusive process. To that end, I hope that we can appoint a Strategic Planning Council (including representation from across UA and the community-at-large) to help lead these discussions. As we collectively work to prepare for the future, the likelihood of our success increases as the UA community works together, exudes positivity, and embraces these initiatives.

After four years of intense commitment and with the confidence that UA is on the right track, I have decided to shift from my role as President to join the full-time faculty, effective July 31, 2018. This decision came after much thought and consideration and is based on a host of personal and family considerations. Pursuant to my agreement with UA, I intend at this time to return to my faculty position with Akron Law at a substantially reduced salary, in recognition of ongoing financial challenges for the University.

Over the next four months, my efforts to ensure UA’s ongoing success and a smooth transition will continue in full force, especially as we continue to implement new initiatives. As I have said previously, it is an honor to be here at UA, as I thoroughly enjoy the UA community and students. I value the chance to contribute to a world-class university that is again on an upward trajectory.

Finally, I want to personally thank all who have supported me in my role as dean and president over the past four years. We can all be proud of UA and its achievements. Hopefully, everyone can redouble their efforts to unify and move UA forward.

Sincerely,

Matthew J. Wilson
President
The University of Akron

Wednesday marks the one-month anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 people dead. 

In conjunction with the anniversary and on National Walkout Day, where students in high schools, and other schools across the country are walking out of class for 17 seconds (one second for each victim), the University of Akron is offering a forum to discuss issues revolving around "Gun Violence in America's Schools." 

The LeBron James Family Foundation is sponsoring the event, that runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evening in Olin Hall, Room 124, at the University of Akron. You can find out more at UAkron.edu. 

University of Akron head basketball coach John Groce spoke with Sam and Brad Wednesday to talk about the upcoming game tomorrow against Eastern Michigan in the MAC Tournament.

Tipoff is at 9pm at the Quicken Loans Arena. 

East running back Devanier Floyd spoke with Sam Bourquin after signing on with the University of Akron to play football for the Zips.

He says he's excited to stay in his hometown and playing ball for the Zips program.

 "I built very strong relationships with the people there (at Akron), and it was the right place for me to go," Floyd said. 

Treon Sibley, one of Coventry's main offensive weapons on the gridiron has committed to play his college football at the University of Akron

Sibley talked about that decision with Sam Bourquin on National Signing Day.

"They (The Akron Staff) told me they needed someone with speed and that I had a chance to be a hometown hero," he explained. 

Facing a nearly $29 Million budget shortfall, the University of Akron is looking for more innovative ways to bring in more revenue. 

With that in mind, UA President Matthew Wilson is looking to the sports side of the school, and says that with in-state recruitment of athletes lies more fiscal opportunity. 

The state provides public universities with subisidies for completion of credits and graduation of in-state students. The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that "Course completion, based on a calculation of full-time Ohio students and the total number of credit hours taken, generates $1,800 to a school for every 30 credit hours completed."

Not including the funding from the state, President Matthew Wilson says there are other factors involved when considering bolstering the university's efforts on Ohio recruitment, including fans that you might attract, controling costs, locations where the team plays, and more. President Wilson makes a point to say that it's not about making Akron football or basketball or baseball, that's recently been restored at the school, ALL Ohio, but more about a balance. "Preserving our competetiveness (in the MAC and in the region), but in terms of our competetiveness across the country, we don't want to lose that, but at the same time Ohio really has a great talent base to draw from," President Wilson commented on the Jasen Sokol Show.

Since the first college class schedule at the first college, students have (probably) done everything they can to eliminate Friday classes. 

Well, starting in the Fall semester of 2018, University of Akron is taking it upon themselves to remove Friday classes for almost all students.

According to a press release, the new initiative at UA, is not meant to give students a three-day-weekend, but to open the door to more opportunities for lab work, practical work experience, volunteering, and more on Fridays. 

UA President Matthew Wilson says, “Quality learning and student success are the primary focuses of Five-Star Fridays,” said UA President Wilson. “Courses will be taught for the same amount of classroom time and involve the same academic rigor. They will just be organized a bit differently to allow for a more concentrated and purposeful set of experiential learning opportunities for students as a result of making Fridays available in this manner. The innovative approach is consistent with workplace flexibility trends.”

You can read the full press release from UA below: 

University of Akron (UA) President Matthew J. Wilson today announced UA will move towards implementing an innovative class schedule this fall to better prepare and serve students. The schedule is unique to universities in the area, as it will enable most students to focus on classes Monday through Thursday and then participate in practical, career-focused experiences on Friday. In conjunction with this initiative, UA will look to continue enhancing its weekend, online, and evening scheduling as well.

The new initiative – composed of a “Five-Star Friday” and “Four-Day Core” scheduling – is intended to give as many students as possible opportunities each Friday to participate in cooperative education, gain practical work experience, and engage in internships, co-curricular activities, research, lab work, community service, advising, tutoring and more without worrying about scheduling conflicts.

Students also will be encouraged to use Five-Star Fridays to attend special events, collaborate with faculty and peers, and take advantage of expanded academic counseling, tutoring, career fairs and other career services. As a result, students also can have three days of concentrated time to prepare for classes, engage with study groups, and participate in meaningful study and research.

“Quality learning and student success are the primary focuses of Five-Star Fridays,” said UA President Wilson. “Courses will be taught for the same amount of classroom time and involve the same academic rigor. They will just be organized a bit differently to allow for a more concentrated and purposeful set of experiential learning opportunities for students as a result of making Fridays available in this manner. The innovative approach is consistent with workplace flexibility trends. ”

After an in-depth review by the colleges and the Registrar’s Office, it was determined that classes that had been scheduled for three days per week (typically Monday, Wednesday and Friday) could either be offered on two days during the week – by extending the typical 50-minute class to 75 minutes – or alternatively, by moving to a Monday, Wednesday and Thursday schedule, as an example. For many years, many other courses at UA have been scheduled for two days per week (typically Tuesday and Thursday), and those will be able to continue in that manner.

For pedagogical reasons, some courses, (for example, music, dance and art) need daily engagement with students and those can continue in that way. Deans, department chairs and school directors are working with faculty members to make those types of accommodations.

“Five-Star Fridays is an innovation in undergraduate education, featuring real-world experience and career preparation that enhance the value of traditional course work,” said Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences Dean John C. Green. “It will give our students flexibility to complete and enhance their degrees. Our chairs and directors carefully reviewed all of our course offerings and they found that nearly all classroom instruction can be implemented on a Monday – Thursday schedule while maintaining academic quality. In the few cases where a revised schedule would be problematic, we will either maintain the current schedule or make additional arrangements."

Since last fall, the Five-Star Fridays concept has been talked about at college and administrative unit town hall meetings on campus, at UA’s Faculty Senate and with University Council. It has been discussed among University leadership and within colleges and departments. A survey was conducted of approximately 15,000 students, with nearly 5,000 responses recorded, and conversations have been held with dozens of high school counselors and numerous high school principals.

“We’ve received a lot of favorable feedback about the Five-Star Fridays concept,” said Wilson. “The new scheduling will assist students with their organization and class preparation, facilitate greater preparation for entering the workforce, make possible more flexible learning opportunities, and be yet another of UA’s distinguishing features for prospective and current students.”

Wilson continued, “Among many benefits, Five-Star Fridays will reduce the number of missed classes for student athletes, our elite engineering design teams, academic competition teams and other students who need to travel. It will make scheduling job and internship interviews easier for all students. UA will join departments at a number of major universities in the Washington, D.C. area, for example, that do not schedule Friday classes so that students can intern with government agencies for the entire day. When students use Five-Star Fridays wisely, it will certainly enhance their experience and increase the value of their degree.”

“After surveying thousands of students, the consensus is clear – students support the Five-Star Fridays academic week,” said Taylor Bennington, president of UA’s Undergraduate Student Government. “The idea is innovative, creative, and is just another way UA is setting itself apart in Northeast Ohio.”

The Five-Star Fridays schedule begins with the Fall 2018 semester.

Florida Atlantic University radio play-by-play voice Ken LaVicka joined Justin McKinney and Ben Thomas on the Sam and Brad Show to talk about the upcoming Boca Raton Bowl between FAU and the University of Akron. 

Kent State University has announced a "tuition guarantee" program, similar to the University of Akron and Youngstown State University, along with several other statewide universities and colleges, that made announcements on their plans recently.

The tuition increase, which will be rolled out for incoming freshman starting Fall semester, 2018, and will freeze undergraduate tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board rates, including meal plans, for four years. Eric Mansfield with KSU says that there could be additional costs for specific programs, but the tuition guarantee applies to the base tuition.  

The Kent State Board of Trustees is meeting again in March of 2018 to discuss what the tuition hike will be. Mansfield added in an interview with the Ray Horner Morning Show on 1590 WAKR that while in-state, undergrad tuition has not increased since 2014, and the tuition guarantee does not affect current students, the Board will discuss in that meeting in March what will happen with the tuition for current students. 

LeBron James, the Kid from Akron, is the man behind the "I PROMISE" program, which he started back in 2011 in an effort to reduce the number of high school students dropping out of school. Since then, the "I PROMISE" program has partnered with University of Akron, helping kids, from a young age, stay on their path of education.

Now, LeBron is the face of a new digital marketing campaign, courtesy of "I PROMISE" and UA. 

See the press release from the University of Akron below for more details:  

The University of Akron’s (UA) latest videos in partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) feature Akron native and four-time NBA MVP LeBron James, along with aspiring students in his I PROMISE program and current UA students. The videos highlighting the benefits of a college education at UA are launching today via digital media in several markets in Ohio and elsewhere.

“It’s all about sparking hope and fulfilling dreams for my I PROMISE kids,” says James in the videos’ introduction. With a focus on stemming the high school dropout rates in his hometown of Akron, James started the I PROMISE program in 2011.

His foundation recently brought several I PROMISE students—some who are now high school freshmen—to the University to talk with current UA students. The resulting series of videos capture UA students mentoring the high schoolers for an afternoon, sharing their college experience, visiting labs and classrooms, and meeting professors. After the mentoring experience, the group came together at the LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education to meet with James and share their dreams and goals with him.

“The University of Akron expresses its profound thanks to LeBron and the LeBron James Family Foundation for their partnership with the University,” said UA President Matthew J. Wilson. “The engagement seen in the videos between the I PROMISE and UA students is genuine and powerful.”

The full-length video runs just under two-minutes. Six I PROMISE students are also spotlighted in shorter videos, paired with UA students in their area of interest. The featured I PROMISE students include Jayden, paired with UA student and computer whiz Spencer Csasky, who is majoring in cybersecurity. Another showcased I PROMISE student is Julia, set to graduate from high school in 2022. She met with UA student Drake Smalley, who shared his co-op experience building orthopedic implants.

The videos are an integral part of UA’s fall student recruitment campaign, which is primarily digital media based but will also include some television broadcast and other media. The videos will target Northeast Ohio as well as markets including Erie, PA, Pittsburgh and suburban Chicago.

The full-length video is available at uakron.edu/discover. The individual student videos are at uakron.edu/stories.