the Ward Baldwin Memorial Endowment Scholarship Fund

The Ward Baldwin Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund was endowed with a gift from the estate of Nancy J. Baldwin, Ph.D., in 2008. Born in Akron, Ohio, Nancy was the daughter of Ward Baldwin, for whom the fund is named, and Pearl (Dean) Baldwin. Ward was a member of the Akron Law School Class of 1930 and was an active attorney in the Akron area.

The Ward Baldwin Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund was originally established in 1982 through annual gifts by the Akron Lions Host Club, providing financial assistance for legally blind students studying law in memory of Ward, who passed away on January 4, 1979. The description was changed in 1989 to assist “any visually or hearing-impaired student enrolled in the University’s School of Law.” Ward was a past president and member of the Akron Lions Club and active in the East Akron Board of Trade’s scholarship fund. His law practice, Kelley & Baldwin, was located in Akron on East Market Street.

Nancy received a bachelor’s degree in education from The University of Akron in 1955, a master’s degree in physical education from The University of California Los Angeles in 1959, and a Doctorate of Philosophy from The Ohio State University in 1971. Nancy enjoyed several years of teaching in elementary grades, junior high, and high school. Beginning in 1959, she was associated with various colleges and universities, including California Polytechnic College, UCLA, and DePauw University, where she taught teacher education theory classes, physical education activities, methods, and healthy kinesiology. Nancy joined the faculty of Edinboro University in Pennsylvania in the Department of Health and Physical Education, and in 1991, she was appointed full professor. Nancy retired from Edinboro in 1993 after 24 years of service. She passed away on July 31, 2006.

The Ward Baldwin Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund is designated to scholarships for students of The University of Akron School of Law who have visual or hearing impairments. Scholarship awards may cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board, all or in part.