the Conrad C. Ott Scholars Fund

In memory of Dr. Conrad C. Ott, a group of alumni and friends of the LeBron James Family Foundation School of Education at The University of Akron established an endowed scholarship titled The Conrad C. Ott Scholars Fund. Higher education had always been a priority to Ott, and this fund is a way to assist educators in achieving their educational goals while fostering Ott’s legacy.

Conrad C. Ott, former superintendent and board member of Akron Public Schools for 31 years, left a rich legacy for the Akron community. He was a legend. He led an urban district to achieve A+ status on state evaluations. While at times controversial for his direct demeanor and candor, he knew the schools, the teachers, the administrators, the coaches, and certainly the students. He had high expectations for everyone. No one questioned his commitment to children or his insistence that staff members continue their education to strive for advanced degrees to enhance both knowledge and teaching skills. Dr. Ott practiced what he preached, as he pursued graduate work at The University of Akron, where he also directed the Center for the Study of Urban Education. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 1991, and in 2011 (after his death on March 29, 2010), he posthumously received the Dean’s Award.

The Conrad C. Ott Scholars Fund is available annually to a current Akron Public Schools (APS) teacher pursuing a graduate degree in the LJFF School of Education. The award recipient(s) and the amount of the annual award(s) will be determined by the Conrad C. Ott Scholars committee and by Mrs. Jeanne Ott, in collaboration with the LJFF School of Education.