Dr. George E. Prough Endowed Scholarship

The Dr. George E. Prough Endowed Scholarship was established in 2009 (revised in 2016 and again in 2021) by former students, faculty, and friends of George E. Prough to show their appreciation and gratitude for his longstanding service to The University of Akron and the College of Business Administration. Dr. Prough retired in 2004 from the Department of Marketing, where he had been a faculty member since 1968. He was always a favorite with students and often referred to as George for his impeccable style and smooth delivery.
Along with teaching and research, Dr. Prough served The University of Akron in various capacities during his tenure. He was the associate dean of external affairs and community service for the College of Business Administration, and in 1998, then UA President Luis M. Proenza asked Dr. Prough to lead The University of Akron’s strategic planning efforts. These activities, which concluded in 2002, involved more than 300 administrators, faculty, staff, and students in a process aimed at producing a strategic vision and plan, changing the planning and budgeting process, and developing a continuous quality improvement program. Additionally, Dr. Prough served the campus as a master of ceremonies, and he frequently could be heard at The Dr. Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Award Sunrise Breakfast, the University’s Alumni Day program, numerous meetings of the Northeastern Ohio Alumni Association of Phi Delta Theta, and various Department of Marketing activities, including the annual awards program.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Prough also worked as a consultant, strategic planner, and a marketing and sales training leader for companies such as The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, FirstEnergy Corp., Columbia Gas of Ohio, Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs LLP, the Summit County Chapter of the American National Red Cross, and many others.
Dr. Prough was the frequent recipient of accolades recognizing his excellence. In 1992, he was awarded a Distinguished Marketer Award by the Akron Chapter of Sales and Marketing Executives International and, along with colleague Mike Amico, was one of 16 professors in Ohio identified as Star Professors in the April 1992 issue of Ohio Magazine. In 1996, the Northeastern Ohio Alumni Chapter of Phi Delta Theta selected Dr. Prough as the recipient of The W. Richard Wright Award. In 1997, he was chosen by The University of Akron Alumni Association to receive UA’s Outstanding Teacher Award, and in 2006 he was the recipient of the Dean’s Award from the College of Business Administration.
Dr. Prough passed away September 15, 2012. He and his wife, Patty, who were married for 45 years, have two married sons and four grandchildren.
The Dr. George E. Prough Endowed Scholarship supports incoming, undergraduate, and graduate students enrolled in UA’s College of Business Administration who are pursuing a degree in marketing or a master’s degree with a marketing focus. Students must fill out the appropriate University application, either undergraduate or graduate application. First consideration will go to students with demonstrated leadership abilities and/or potential as evidenced by their involvement in various campus organizations and/or career-related activities. In addition, applicants must maintain a 3.25 GPA. Recipients of The Dr. George E. Prough Endowed Scholarship will receive up to $1,000 from the scholarship. Undergraduate recipients will be selected by the Marketing Scholarship Committee for undergraduate student(s). Graduate scholars will be selected by the Chair of the Marketing Department, in consultation with the College of Business Graduate School Office. The value of the scholarship and the number of recipients may vary depending on available funds.