James J. Gill Memorial Scholarship in Law

The James J. Gill Memorial Scholarship in Law was established in 2012 by Mr. Terrence A. Gill in memory of his father, James J. Gill. James Joseph Gill was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1924, attended St. Vincent School, and joined the U.S. Navy after graduating from St. Vincent High School in 1942. He served in the Navy in the South Pacific through 1945.

After the war James attended John Carroll University and Loyola Marymount, where he played a year of baseball and finished at The University of Dayton, where he received an undergraduate degree in business administration. James then enrolled in law school at The University of Akron School of Law, receiving his law degree in 1954. He was best known in Akron for his many years as executive director of the Summit County Legal Aid Society where his office staff managed cases for those unable to afford attorneys.

James enjoyed skiing, flying, motorcycling, baseball, and reading. He was one of the founding members of the Akron Ski Club on Mt. Pleasant Road and served on the Boston Mills ski patrol for 15 years. He also enjoyed flying and owned an Aeronca Champ small aircraft. In his senior years he bought two motorcycles and typically rode through the Cuyahoga Valley early on Sunday mornings. Mr. Gill, who passed away in October 2008, read three newspapers a day and enjoyed being described as an exceptional conversationalist.

James’ son Terrence (Terry) also grew up in Akron, attended St. Vincent School, and is a 1977 University of Akron College of Business Administration alumnus, earning a bachelor’s degree in industrial management. Terry went on to earn an MBA from Northern Illinois University in 1988. He and his wife, Deb, raised four children in Rockford, Ill., where the couple still reside.

The James J. Gill Memorial Scholarship in Law was established to support students enrolled in The University of Akron School of Law. Recipients will be selected on the basis of academic merit and financial need determined by the Scholarship Committee at The University of Akron School of Law. Preference will be given to graduates of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.