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 51²è¹Ý 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
Alderman, M. Kay Endowed Fund for New Frontiers in Teaching
The M. Kay Alderman Endowed Fund for New Frontiers in Teaching was established in 2025 by a generous future gift commitment from Daniel G. Alderman in loving memory of his sister, Dr. M. Kay Alderman. This endowment provides critical, ongoing funding to support the development of innovative teaching methodologies and materials as well as professional development and training of education students and in-service teachers through The University of Akron's LeBron James Family Foundation School of Education.
Dr. Melba "Kay" Alderman (4/14/1935 - 2/3/2022) was raised in Mississippi, and after finishing school, she moved to Houston, Texas to begin her teaching career in the public school system. Her family - her mother and her brother, Daniel - followed her to Houston, where the family settled. It was there that she pursued her master's degree at the University of Texas and her doctorate from the University of Houston.
In 1979, Dr. Alderman joined The University of Akron as a full-time faculty member. She retired in June 2006 as a professor in the Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership.
Dr. Alderman always believed that teachers make a difference, and she continued to put that belief into practice throughout her life, as she was very active in the volunteer community and educating young children. Her commitment to and belief in the value of education and educators was further illustrated in her creation of The M. Kay Alderman Endowed Scholarship in Education at The University of Akron in 2011, which is awarded annually to two deserving students studying education who have financial need for assistance.
With a background in education psychology and foundations of education, Dr. Alderman's research focused on motivation strategies in the classroom. She enjoyed sharing her research and knowledge as a mentor to student teachers and as a speaker presenting at seminars and trainings during the summer for in-service teachers.
In her book, Motivations for Achievement: Possibilities for Teaching and Learning (2008), Dr. Alderman shared a challenge with her readers: "Do we have the will to educate all students?"
In reflecting on this question, Dr. Alderman noted that the obstacles inherent in education cannot be conquered overnight, but she offered hope that teachers and their students could embark on a journey together toward a better future. "The expectation for this journey," she concluded, "is progress, not miracles."
In the spirit of "progress, not miracles," her brother, Daniel, has established this fund to address the ever-changing nature of education - where new research leads to new discoveries and new methodologies for teaching, requiring continuous adaptation and development on the part of our educators.
The M. Kay Alderman Endowed Fund for New Frontiers in Teaching will empower the School of Education to develop and implement innovative strategies and programs that enhance teacher preparation and professional development. This fund will provide flexibility to adapt to emerging trends in education by supporting the creation of new curricula, cutting-edge instructional technologies, evidence-based teaching methods, and teacher training programs. Potential areas of support include:
- Creation, Publication, and Dissemination of Innovative Teaching Methods and Materials: Support the development, authorship, and distribution of print and digital materials - including lesson plans, curriculum guides, toolkits, and research briefs created by faculty and affiliated centers or institutes.
- Professional Development Experiences for Educators and Students: Fund travel and registration costs for students and working teachers to attend professional conferences, immersive training programs, or on-site learning experiences that promote interdisciplinary collaboration and/or exposure to new instructional technologies.
- Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Teacher Preparation and Development Workshops and Trainings: Provide resources to develop, deliver, host, test, and assess high-impact workshops, seminars, and training series that respond to the evolving landscape of education and enhance both teaching efficiency and student learning outcomes.
Through The M. Kay Alderman Endowed Fund for New Frontiers in Teaching, The University of Akron will remain a leader in innovative teacher training and development. By fostering ongoing professional growth and encouraging experimentation with new tools and approaches, the fund will help educators remain adaptable, reflective, and prepared to meet the needs of diverse learners in an ever-changing world.
Funds from The M. Kay Alderman Endowed Fund for New Frontiers in Teaching shall be used at the discretion of the Director of the LeBron James Family Foundation School of Education.
To make a tax-deductible gift to this fund, please visit 51²è¹Ý’s . Select “A different designation” from the drop-down menu and enter “M. Kay Alderman Fund for New Frontiers in Teaching” in the text box. Thank you!
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