the Francia Holliday Albrecht Endowed Scholarship

Fred and Francia Albrecht have played a significant role in the mission and accomplishments of The University of Akron. The University’s growing reputation is due to the special friends and alumni, like the Albrechts, who have stepped forward to provide vital assistance to our students and programs.

Fred Ivan Albrecht is a 1951 alumnus of the University of Akron School of Law. He attended night school and obtained his L.L.B. degree. After graduation, Mr. Albrecht remained involved in the University. He served on the Alumni Board of Directors and was President of Hilltoppers for one year beginning in 1970. He served on the University’s Board of Trustees from 1961 to 1970 and was Chairman from 1967 to 1970. In 1975 he joined the University of Akron Foundation Board of Directors and served as its President from 1984 to 1988. He received the Alumni Honor Award from the University in 1972.

Fred I. Albrecht is the grandson of Fred W. Albrecht, founder of the F. W. Albrecht Grocery Co. He was born in Akron on June 11, 1917 and began working for the family business at the age of seven. The F. W. Albrecht Grocery Co., established in 1891, operated its first store at Center Street and Buchtel Avenue. Mr. Albrecht joined the company’s leadership in 1940, after receiving a B.A in History from Colgate University. He left Akron again to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II, but eventually returned to the family business. In 1959, Mr. Albrecht was named President of the company, then to his present position of Chairman in 1982. The F. W. Albrecht Grocery Co. owns all Acme stores and employs approximately 1,500 people in the Akron area. Mr. Albrecht’s son, Steven (AL ’78), is President of the company.

Fred I. Albrecht founded a real estate investment and management firm, Albrecht Inc., and served as co-chairman of the company. He has also served as a vice president of Kaase Baking Co., and on the Board of Directors of Firestone Bank, Children’s Hospital, Akron Savings and Loan and the John Ruhlin Co.

Mr. Albrecht is married to the former Francia Holliday and has six children. Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht are known throughout the Akron community for their involvement in civic activities. Fred Albrecht has served as Chairman of the Little Hoover Commission, the Area Progress Board, and CIC. Additionally, he has been a trustee of Stan Hywet Hall, the Akron Community Foundation and United Way. He has served as Head of the Weathervane Theatre Capital Drive, as Vice Chairman of the Akron Bicentennial, and as Chairman of the Akron Sesquicentennial in addition to his countless other volunteer positions in the community.

Mrs. Albrecht, the daughter of a ballet instructor, Aubrey Walters Holliday, has worked on behalf of the arts community in Akron. She has served on the board of the Ohio Ballet, the Akron Art Museum, Weathervane Theatre, and Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet. She is also a member of the University’s Women’s Committee and was on the Advisory Committee for the College of Fine & Applied Arts. Mrs. Albrecht received an Honorary Alumna award from the University in 1982. Her sister Betty Holliday King, who is now deceased, was the founder of the Children’s Concert Society.

The Albrechts have received numerous awards and honors for their involvement in the community, including the Bert Polsky Humanitarian Award, the Ohio Ballet BRAVO award, and the Varsity A Meritorious Service award (UA). Mr. Albrecht won an industry service award from the Ohio Grocer’s Association in 1992, and was named Distinguished Executive of the Year in 1975. He has also received the Sales and Marketing Executive Award (1976). His club memberships include Cascade Club, Rotary, Portage Country Club, and The University Club.

The purpose of the scholarship is to provide support to deserving students in the College of Fine & Applied Arts. The Dean will have discretion to use the funds for the most important projects and scholarships that he/she sees fit.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht have strong convictions and devotion to The University of Akron and the field of education. For such fierce loyalty, the University is certainly most grateful and proud that they have established this scholarship at their alma mater.