Joyce W. and James W. Barnett Memorial Scholarship in International Business

The Joyce Wortman Barnett International Business Scholarship was established in 1996 by Mr. James W. Barnett in memory of his late wife. Mr. Barnett passed away April 4, 2019, and the family’s desire to revise the named scholarship in 2021 to include their father has resulted in The Joyce W. and James W. Barnett Memorial Scholarship in International Business.

Born and raised in Akron, Joyce Wortman graduated with a liberal arts degree from the prestigious Stephens College, the second oldest women’s college in the U.S., which is located in Columbia, Missouri. Returning to Akron, Miss Wortman attended The University of Akron for two years where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She married James W. Barnett in 1952 and settled into the role of loving mother to three children and devoted wife of a Goodyear executive whose career moved the family frequently. This scholarship shall serve as a tribute to Mrs. Barnett’s belief in the important role of higher education in the lives of aspiring young men and women.

James (Jim) Barnett was born on October 6, 1930 and was a native of Pennsylvania, who grew up in Akron. He was a former college leader for UA, retiring as dean of the College of Business in 2006, a position he had held since 2003.He started his career with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 1950 and retired as vice president of OE Tire Sales Worldwide in June 1996. He came to UA to serve as Executive-in-Residence for the Institute for Global Business and then as the Institute’s director. Jim graduated from UA in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Jim was a member of The University of Akron Foundation’s Board of Directors. In 1992, he received an Alumni Honor Award and is a 1993 recipient of the Dr. Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Award. After Joyce’s passing, he married Antje, a graduate of La Sorbonne, and they were married for 27 years.

Joyce and Jim had three children: Scott W. Barnett, Nancy A. Barnett, ’85, ’92 and James E. Barnett.

The Joyce W. and James W. Barnett Memorial Scholarship in International Business provides assistance to students majoring or minoring in International Business in the UA College of Business.

Recipient selection will be made by the College’s Director of the Institute for Global Business, who will award up to $2,500 to each selected recipient. Consideration of candidates will focus on academic standing as well as extracurricular activities, community involvement, leadership and character. On a selected basis, The Joyce W. Barnett and James W. Barnett Memorial Scholarship in International Business can be awarded to other meritorious candidates from the College of Business. Annually, a report on the use of the funds will be shared with Scott W. Barnett.