the Jerome and Rebecca Pecko Family Scholarship Fund

In 2011, Dr. Jerome “Jerry” Pecko and his wife, Rebecca S. “Becky” Pecko, generously established The Jerome and Rebecca Pecko Family Endowed Scholarship at The University of Akron in support of education and Jerry’s dear alma mater. The endowment was revised in 2023 so that recipient selection is made by the University’s Scholarship Committee. The University of Akron has played a major role in Jerry’s life, and he and Becky seek to assist local students in achieving their educational goals.

Dr. Pecko earned his bachelor’s degree in education from The University of Akron in 1969. He went on to further his studies and completed his master’s in education in 1974 and his doctorate in educational administration in 1985. Dr. Pecko became the 29th superintendent of Toledo Public Schools on August 1, 2010. A veteran educator, Dr. Pecko has an extensive background in the field of education. From 1994 to 2007, he was superintendent of Barberton City Schools and the Springfield Local School District. Prior to becoming superintendent, he was the executive director of school improvement with Akron Public Schools. Throughout Dr. Pecko’s 39 years of service in education, he also held positions as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Additionally, Dr. Pecko served in the United Stated Army.

The recipient(s) of The Jerome and Rebecca Pecko Family Endowed Scholarship must:

• Be enrolled full- or part-time at UA with a declared major in the School of Education,
• Be in good academic standing, and
• Have demonstrated financial need.

Preference will be given to graduates of the Barberton, Springfield, and Toledo school districts, as well as students with a strong work ethic, as evidenced by high grades and involvement in extracurricular activities. Whenever possible, faculty recommendations should be requested and considered in the selection process.
This scholarship can be renewed for recipients who continue to meet eligibility requirements each year. Selection of the recipient and the scholarship amount will be determined by the University’s Scholarship Committee.
Due to the generosity of the Mary Frances Shale Trust, this fund received matching dollars to help build the endowment.