The Kathryn Samuels Pontius Scholarship Fund

The Kathryn Samuels Pontius Endowed Scholarship was established in 1989 (and revised in 2017) in memory of Kathryn A. “Sammy” Samuels Pontius by her loving family and friends. Kathryn A. Samuels was a 1935 University of Akron alumna who married Harry Pontius in 1937 and became the inspirational mother to six sons. She once was described as being born to serve her family, friends and mankind; and her family remembers her as always happy and smiling, regardless of the problems, difficulties, or situations that arose.

Kathryn accomplished a great deal in her 74 years. She graduated from The University of Akron in 1935 and earned a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin. As a student at UA, she excelled academically and had a wide range of educational interests, including English, Latin, journalism, communications, nursing, and secondary education.

She was voted Miss Versatility in her senior year, thanks to her enthusiastic involvement in campus life, which included serving as Society Editor for The Buchtelite, a member of Phi Mu Omicron Chapter, and secretary-treasurer of the Republican Club. She also was a collegiate tennis and basketball star who was UA’s 1934 women’s single tennis champion, a member of UA’s 1934 women’s basketball championship team, and a member of UA’s 1934 all-star Army Team. Not surprisingly, she remained a sports enthusiast throughout her life.

Following graduation, Kathryn focused her energies on her family and became deeply involved in civic activities, education, and her church. When asked how she managed to meet all the demands placed on her, she replied: “Be like a duck, calm on the surface and paddling like mad underneath.”

Her loving family once said that Kathryn “made this world a better, more beautiful, friendly, and worthwhile place because of her life upon this earth.” This scholarship always will serve as a tribute to all Kathryn A. Samuels Pontius accomplished and to the joy she brought to others.

The Kathryn Samuels Pontius Endowed Scholarship is intended to provide support annually to at least one incoming, full-time freshman with a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher. Preference will be given to students who share Kathryn’s academic interests and have enrolled at The University of Akron in one of the following:

The LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education to pursue a secondary education degree
The Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences to pursue an English or language degree
The School of Communication
The School of Nursing
Preference also will be given to students who are working to pay for their tuition. The scholarship may be renewed provided the recipient remains in good academic standing and the preferred area of study. Recipients will be selected by the Office of Student Financial Aid.