The Karl O. Nygaard and Elizabeth Ann Nygaard Burgess Memorial Scholarship

The Karl O. Nygaard and Elizabeth Ann Nygaard Burgess Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Karl O. Nygaard and his wife, Elizabeth Ann Nygaard Burgess. The award was initiated by family and friends in honor of all they accomplished during their lifetimes.

Karl Nygaard joined the BF Goodrich Company in 1954 as an economist and corporate director of business research after four years with the Department of Commerce. He was named Vice President – BF Goodrich brand tire replacement sales in 1971. In 1972, he was named Vice President Marketing for the Tire Division of BF Goodrich. At the time of his death in 1975, he was Senior Vice President of the BF Goodrich Company with overall responsibility for manufacturing and technical activities of the Tire Company.

Elizabeth Ann met Karl while attending Duke University where she graduated in 1949 with a degree in chemistry. Family responsibilities took over and she became active in the community and in her church. During her lifetime, she volunteered for Family Services of Summit County, United Way Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron’s Women’s Board, Louise Sumner Board, University of Akron’s Women’s Committee, Mobile Meals and numerous other community agencies. She was recognized in 1984 as the recipient of the United Way of Summit County’s Distinguished Service Award, in 1988 as one of the 80 outstanding community volunteers of United Way, in 1992 as the recipient of the Bernard W. Frazier Award from Family Services and the Service to Mankind Award from the Sertoma Club of Akron.

The Karl O. Nygaard and Elizabeth Ann Nygaard Burgess Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding student in the College of Business Administration Department of Marketing. The recipient is to be selected by the chairperson of the Department of Marketing in cooperation with the Office of Student Financial Aid. The recipient is to be a United States citizen.