Dr. John C. Green Endowed Scholarship

The Dr. John C. Green Endowed Scholarship was established at The University of Akron in December, 2019 in honor of Dr. John C. Green, who has served The University of Akron ably, faithfully and well as a teacher, scholar, colleague and administrator. Dr. Green has impacted the University and led its diverse advancement from many vantage points over his 32-year career.

Dr. Green earned a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Colorado in 1975 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Political Science from Cornell University in 1983. He launched his scholarly career in 1979 as an instructor of political science at Furman University and was promoted to assistant professor in 1983. He was then granted tenure there in 1985. Dr. Green joined The University of Akron in 1987 when appointed associate professor of political science with tenure, and was named professor in 1993 and then distinguished professor in 2003. He earned recognition from UA’s Board as an Outstanding Faculty Member in 1989 and 1994.

Dr. Green led the Ray C. Bliss Institute for Applied Politics wisely and with great energy as its inaugural director in 1988, inspiring many generations of politicians and practitioners of politics, many of whom occupy legislative offices at the local, county, state and federal levels. Due to his widely-held reputation for equanimity and fairness in the often contentious arena of partisan politics, Dr. Green was asked by Akron community leaders in 2018 to establish the Greater Akron Civility Center under the auspices of the Bliss Institute to create a culture of civility in the Greater Akron area. During the course of his academic career, Dr. Green authored or co-authored nine books; 138 book chapters; 39 refereed articles; 32 edited volumes and essay collections; and has been interviewed and referenced by news media at every level — from local radio and newspapers to most major broadcast networks, cable news outlets, national newspapers, news magazines and other media outlets — for his expertise.

Dr. Green has earned honors and eminence in his field for his study of the intersection of religion and politics, having won the Distinguished Service Award from the American Political Science Association (1993), the title of Senior Research Advisor of the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life (2005 – Present); and membership on numerous professional associations and scholarly societies. In addition to his pedagogical and scholarly research, Dr. Green has served the University and its constituencies as an administrator, including terms as interim dean and dean of the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences; vice dean for liberal arts; director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics for 31 years; chair of the Department of Political Science; and interim department chair for the departments of anthropology, criminal justice studies, economics, public administration, and statistics. At a point in his career when most scholars and administrators might retire, Dr. Green took on additional responsibilities and duties of leadership, accepting the Board of Trustees’ appointment as Interim President of The University of Akron. Serving from May 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019, he effectively addressed a wide range of issues and positioned the University well for his successor.

In recognition of the positive influence Dr. Green has exerted upon students, graduates, colleagues, peers, legislators, community and business leaders, The University of Akron has established The Dr. John C. Green Endowed Scholarship to honor his legacy and uphold his example for future generations of students.

The Dr. John C. Green Endowed Scholarship is designed to support students at The University of Akron, with first consideration for students of The Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics. This fund is available to provide scholarship assistance for tuition and fees, as well as supporting educational expenses of Bliss Institute students pertaining to travel to attend conferences and internship opportunities and associated academic related expenses in either Columbus, Ohio, or Washington, D.C. Student selection will be determined by the Bliss Institute Scholarship Committee with input from Dr. John C. Green.