University of Akron From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search The University of Akron -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Motto: Fiat Lux (Latin) Motto in English: Let there be light Established: 1870 as Buchtel College Type: State university Endowment: $192 million[1] President: Dr. Luis M. Proenza Undergraduates: 21,635 (Fall, 2008, all campuses) Postgraduates: 3,810(Fall, 2008, all campuses) 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[2] Mascot: Zippy The Kangaroo Website: http://www.uakron.edu/ The University of Akron is a public institution of higher learning located in Akron, Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of Akron due to financial problems. In 1967 the university became a state institution. Enrollment in fall 2008 was 25,942 students.[3] The school offers more than 200 undergraduate [4] and 100 graduate majors[5]. The University's best-known program is its College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, which is located in a 13-story reflective glass building that overlooks Akron's downtown. The graduate program in industrial and organizational psychology is highly regarded nationally, as are the engineering programs. The University's School of Law, ranked 2nd best value in the nation[6], has both day and evening programs leading to the Juris Doctor degree and recently added a Master of Laws program in intellectual property law. The university also has a branch campus, Wayne College, located in Orrville, Ohio. The Archives of the History of American Psychology are also located in the Polsky building at the University. Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Expansion 3 Academics 3.1 Undergraduate 3.2 Graduate 3.3 Organization 4 Athletics 4.1 Facilities 4.2 Football 4.3 Basketball 4.4 Other sports 5 Alma Mater 6 Fight Song 7 Notable people 8 References 9 External links [edit] History Statue of John R. Buchtel in front of Buchtel HallThe University of Akron was founded as Buchtel College in honor of John R. Buchtel in 1870. In 1907, the college shed its Universalist affiliation and became a private, non-denominational institution. In 1913, Buchtel College trustees transferred the institution and its assets to the city of Akron. In 1913, the enrollment was 198 students, and over the next 50 years expanded to over 10,000 students. The University’s 10th president, Dr. Norman P. Auburn, oversaw the University's transition in 1967 from a municipal to a state university. The university has experienced two notable fires. The original university building, known as "Old Buchtel," burned down in 1897, and was a total loss. A new central campus was constructed. The only building that remains from it is the current Buchtel Hall, which itself was gutted by fire in 1971. It was saved, but to this day has some blackening on the exterior. The tire and rubber industry and the University of Akron share an intimate history. Historically, many of the world's leading corporations, such as Goodyear, Firestone, and Goodrich, were headquartered in Akron. In 1909, the world’s first courses in rubber chemistry were offered at the University. The University is also credited with having the world’s first College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, which was founded in 1988. [edit] Expansion The Goodyear Polymer Center on the University of Akron campus.A $300 million construction program was completed in the fall of 2004. Called "A New Landscape for Learning," the program included the construction of nine new buildings, the renovations or updating of 14 other buildings and structures, and numerous capital improvement projects. The New Landscape for Learning included a new College of Arts & Sciences Building, Honors Residence Hall and classroom complex, a new Student Recreation and Wellness Center, and a new Student Union. Multiple new parking decks were constructed to address high demand for parking (placed on the outskirts of campus in accordance with its goal to be less of a commuter school), and several public streets were closed to consolidate the campus, provide a more friendly environment for pedestrians and to add 30 acres (120,000 m²) of new greenspace.[7] The University has begun work on a satellite campus in neighboring Medina County[8] and is shopping around ideas for workforce centers in the suburbs. The University has launched with the City of Akron and many local businesses an initiative called the University Park Alliance[9] to further improve the 40-block neighborhood around campus. The initiative includes a new apartment-style residence hall, new shops and restaurants, and street improvements. On August 1, 2007, the University's Board of Trustees announced that a new stadium, Infocision Stadium, on East Exchange Street, is slated to open in September 2009, with groundbreaking in October 2007. The stadium is expected to have up to 30,000 seats and will replace UA's current stadium, the Rubber Bowl.[10] The University purchased the Quaker Square Crowne Plaza Hotel and shopping complex in downtown Akron, using half of the rooms as residence space and the other as a working hotel. The University did a land-swap with the city of Akron so that they may find a new hotel for the Central Business District. [edit] Academics The largest college of the university is the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. Bierce Library, pictured below, 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.[11] Bierce Library [edit] Undergraduate The University offers nearly 300 undergraduate majors. The various undergraduate schools offer an array of Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and Associate's degrees. In conjunction with the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM), the University offers an accelerated six-year, BS/MD program, where ambitious students can earn a bachelor's degree in two years and complete medical school in the traditional four years.[12] 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.[13] [edit] Graduate The University of Akron currently offers more than 100 graduate degrees to its current population of 3,000 graduate students.[14] The graduate program in industrial and organizational psychology has been ranked 6th nationally by U.S. News & World Report[15], and its polymer science and engineering programs make Akron the only public university in Ohio with a science and engineering program ranked in the top five nationally by U.S. News & World Report.[15] The School of Law is also highly regarded, as it is one of only 17 in the nation offering an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law. In the past, its students have also led the state of Ohio in bar passage rates.[16] [edit] Organization Statue of Simon Perkins in front of the College of Business AdministrationThe University of Akron comprises the following colleges, schools, and campuses: Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences College of Business Administration College of Education College of Engineering College of Fine & Applied Arts School of Law College of Nursing College of Polymer Science & Polymer Engineering Honors College The Graduate School University College Wayne College Summit College [edit] Athletics Main article: Akron Zips The University of Akron's athletic teams are known as the "Zips," originally short for "Zippers," overshoes that were nationally popular in the 1920s and 1930s, and the zipper—an invention from Akron (Judson). The university's mascot is "Zippy," a kangaroo.[2] Zippy is one of only eight female college mascots in the United States. Zippy currently holds the title of Capital One National Mascot of the Year. [edit] Facilities The Stile Athletics Field House Beginning in the 2009 Football season, Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium Lee Jackson Field (soccer) Lee Jackson Field (baseball) Lee Jackson Field (softball) James A. Rhodes Arena [edit] Football Main article: Akron Zips football Akron's major football rivalry is with Kent State University, whom they play for the Wagon Wheel. They also formerly played Youngstown State University for the Steel Tire until that series was discontinued in 1995. In 2005, the Akron Zips football team won their very first MAC championship giving them a chance to play in the Motor City Bowl, Akron's first Division I-A bowl game appearance where they lost to the University of Memphis. [edit] Basketball See also: Akron Zips men's basketball In 2005, the men's basketball team, under head coach Keith Dambrot, won its first ever Division I postseason game by defeating Temple University in the NIT. The team was led by first team All-MAC performer Romeo Travis (former teammate of LeBron James in high school) and also won the most games in a season, 23. In 2007, Keith Dambrot led Akron to the MAC Tournament Final for a second year in a row, yet the team fell for a second time, this time to arch rival Kent State. The Zips advanced to the NIT for a second time in Dambrot's four-years as head coach and won their first game at Florida State, eventually falling in the Sweet 16 in a game at UMass. In 2009, the men's basketball team captured the MAC Tournament title, defeating Buffalo in Cleveland at the Quicken Loans Arena 65-53, bringing Akron back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1986 (and also the first time as a MAC member). [edit] Other sports In 2005, the women's cross country team, women's indoor track and the men's soccer team also won the MAC championship in their respective sports, making the 2005-06 year the most successful in Akron athletics history with a total of four Mid-American Conference championships in the same year. The 2005 men's soccer team was the first team in UA history to hold a national No. 1 ranking in any sport, and was coached by Ken Lolla, now the head coach at the University of Louisville. In 2009 the men's basketball team progressed to the NCAA tournament. The Zips compete in the following sports: Fall Sports Men's cross country Women's cross country Football Men's golf* Women's golf* Rifle* Men's soccer Women's soccer Women's tennis* Women's volleyball Winter Sports Men's basketball Women's basketball Men's ice hockey (club team) Men's swimming and diving Women's swimming and diving Men's track and field (Indoor season) Women's track and field (Indoor season) Spring Sports Baseball Men's golf* Women's golf* Softball Rifle* Women's tennis* Men's track and field (Outdoor season) Women's track and field (Outdoor season) *the golf, rifle, and women's tennis teams begin their seasons in the Fall, but conclude in the Spring with conference and NCAA tournaments. [edit] Alma Mater The Alma Mater of The University of Akron is a tribute to the city and university's past and the rise of the university from the fires that twice devastated Buchtel College. Close beside Cuyahoga’s waters, Stream of amber hue, O’er old Buchtel Summit’s glory, Waves the gold and blue. Hail we Akron! Sound her praises, Speed them on the gale, Ever stand our Alma Mater, Akron hail, all hail! [edit] Fight Song The Fight Song for the University is "Akron Blue and Gold". The lyrics for the song are: (chorus) We cheer the Akron Blue and Gold. We cheer as the colors unfold, We pledge anew, we're all for you, As the team goes crashing through, Fight! Fight! We cheer the Akron warriors bold, For a fight that's a sight to behold, So we stand up, cheer and shout For the Akron Blue and Gold. (bridge) Zzzip! Zip go the Zi-ips! Zzzip! Zip go the Zi-ips! Akron true, Gold and Blue, All for you and the Zi-ips too! (to chorus) [edit] Notable people Main article: List of University of Akron people The University of Akron has seen many prominent individuals pass through its halls. Former Akron mayor and Ohio Congressman Thomas C. Sawyer attended undergraduate and graduate school there. United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit federal judge Deborah L. Cook received her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the university. Current Ohio congresswoman Betty Sutton received her Juris Doctor from the university as well. Former Republican National Committee chairman Ray C. Bliss graduated in 1935 and the university's Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics is named for him. Hon. Emory A. Rounds III JD Ret Cmdr.USN, Associate Council White House 2003-2008 received his Juris Doctor degree from the university. Former Akron Zips football players Chase Blackburn, Charlie Frye, Domenik Hixon, Dwight Smith, and Jason Taylor have each gone on to find success in the National Football League. Blackburn and Hixon were members of the 2008 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants, while Smith won a Super Bowl Ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003. Taylor was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 and was named the NFL's Man of the Year in 2007. Former Akron Zips baseball players Mike Birkbeck and Mark Malaska have gone on to find success in Major League Baseball. Birkbeck played for the Milwaukee Brewers form 1986 to 1989 and the New York Mets in 1992 and 1995. Malaska played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2003 and was a member of the 2004 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. [edit] References ^ "2007 NACUBO Endowment Study". NACUBO. http://www.nacubo.org/Images/All%20Institutions%20Listed%20by%20FY%202007%20Market%20Value%20of%20Endowment%20Assets_2007%20NES.pdf. Retrieved on October 26, 2008. ^ University of Akron at a Glance Admissions Guide. Official UA Colors. 2007. Accessed April 7, 2008. ^ Quick Facts ^ Majors ^ Degree Programs ^ Quick Facts ^ New Landscape for Learning ^ http://www.mcuc.uakron.edu/dynamic/default.aspx ^ University Park Alliance ^ Welcome to the New University of Akron Stadium ^ Info on Libraries Accessed Ma 10th, 2009 ^ http://www.uakron.edu/colleges/artsci/depts/bsmd/ ^ http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/rankings/ ^ http://www.uakron.edu/admissions/graduate/ ^ a b [1] ^ http://www.uakron.edu/law/lawadmissions/bar.php [edit] External links Official University of Akron site Buchtel College at Ohio History Central Official Akron Zips site University of Akron Wayne College UofAZips.com AK-OLDIES Alumni spirit group ZipsNation Fan Site - Akron Zips Athletics Akron Ice Hockey Club Official Site [show]v • d • eUniversity of Akron Academics Colleges/Schools: Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences • College of Business Administration • College of Education • College of Engineering • College of Fine and Applied Arts • College of Nursing • College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering • School of Law • Summit College • Honors College • University College • Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics Campuses: Main campus (Akron, Ohio) • Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (Rootstown, Ohio) • Medina County University Center (Medina, Ohio) • Wayne College (Orrville, Ohio) Athletics Teams: Football • Men's Basketball • Baseball • Men's Soccer • Women's Soccer • Ice Hockey Facilities: James A. Rhodes Arena • Rubber Bowl • Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium People: Mack Rhoades • J. D. Brookhart • Keith Dambrot Traditions: Steel Tire • Wagon Wheel • Zippy History Presidents • Notable alumni • Notable faculty and staff Student Life Organizations: The Buchtelite • Tel-Buch • WZIP (88.1 FM) • ZTV • Zips Programming Network • University of Akron Press Other: Expansion • Spicertown • University Park Alliance Residence Hall Coed by Room: Exchange Street • Gallucci • Honors Complex • Quaker Square • Townhouses Coed by Floor: Bulger • Garson • Grant • Orr • Ritchie • Spanton Women Only: Sisler-McFawn [show]v • d • eMid-American Conference (MAC) East Division Akron (Zips) • Bowling Green (Falcons) • Buffalo (Bulls) • Kent State (Golden Flashes) • Miami (RedHawks) • Ohio (Bobcats) West Division Ball State (Cardinals) • Central Michigan (Chippewas) • Eastern Michigan (Eagles) • Northern Illinois (Huskies) • Toledo (Rockets) • Western Michigan (Broncos) Affiliates Chicago State (men's tennis) • Florida Atlantic (men's soccer) • Hartwick (men's soccer) • Missouri State (field hockey) • Temple (football) Seasons 2007–08 • 2008–09 Football championship game • List of champions • Men's basketball tournament • Women's basketball tournament [show]v • d • eUniversity System of Ohio Akron • Bowling Green • Central State • Cincinnati • Cleveland State • Kent State • Miami • NEOUCOM • Ohio State • Ohio • Shawnee State • Toledo • Wright State • Youngstown State Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Akron" Categories: Educational institutions established in 1870 | Public universities | University of Akron | Mid-American Conference | American Association of State Colleges and Universities