William J. Costigan Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences Endowed Scholarship for Political Science

The William J. Costigan Family Endowed Scholarship was established by Mr. William J. Costigan Jr. to support students in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Akron and to honor his father, William J. Costigan Sr. Although his father was never able to attend college, Mr. Costigan Sr. was always proud of the University and the opportunities it afforded its students.

William J. Costigan Jr. earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science in 1971 and a juris doctor in 1974. As a student, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa honorary society, president of the Senior Class Board, and selected to Who’s Who in American Colleges.

In 1971, William Jr. entered the family business, Costigan’s National Office Supply, founded in 1881 by his great-uncle, John, and led by his father, William Sr. The Costigan’s business became the largest independent office supply business in Ohio. William Jr. succeeded his father as president in 1980. The company, which reached sales of $50 million in 1995, became a subsidiary of U.S. Office Products of Washington, D.C., in 1996. He continued as president of the company and regional president for U.S. Office Products until his retirement in 2006.

William Jr. is active in the community, serving as chair of the Akron General Development Foundation Board; member of the Summit County Workforce Solutions Board; past co-chair of the St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Capital Campaign; past member of St. Vincent Parish Council; and Bluecoats. He has been involved with the Edwin Shaw Challenge Golf Program, spent 10 years coaching in the Catholic Youth Organization, and has sponsored numerous little league, girls softball, and youth basketball teams.

Mr. Costigan Jr. also established The William J. Costigan Jr. Computer Lab in the Political Science Department at The University of Akron. In 2010, he was honored with The Buchtel Award in Social Sciences from the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences.

William Jr.‘s wife, Barbara, is a University of Akron graduate. William Sr.’s daughter, Pat, also graduated from The University of Akron.

The William J. Costigan Family Endowed Scholarship was be awarded based on a student’s merit and financial need. The Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office, in coordination with the Office of Financial Aid, will make the selection.