Mervyn F. Danison Memorial Scholarship Award

Mr. Mervyn F. Danison (Merv) was born at the height of the Great Depression and came from simple beginnings. Merv learned at an early age the value of hard work and how to save his earnings for leaner times. While he and his brother, Ken, got by on what meager money his mother made as a tire builder for Goodyear, as he grew through his teen years and finished high school he was able to work many jobs to pay his way through college.

After graduating from college, Merv worked as a photographer for Tambling Studios in Akron, as well as other studios in the Northeast Ohio area. Merv served as the Plant photographer for the Ravenna Arsenal during the Vietnam War and eventually joined the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in May 1972 as a News Bureau Photographer with Goodyear’s Public Relations Department.

Merv distinguished himself, mastering his craft over the years producing many outstanding and award winning photographs. Hard work and determination characterized his work at Goodyear and it was Chuck Pilliod and other Goodyear CEOs that afforded him the opportunity to provide us the view of the world through the lens of his camera.

Merv’s abilities and talents helped him become a unique individual at Goodyear. More than any other employee of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company worldwide corporation, Merv attended and covered the most important events in the last three decades. He has photographed major races around the country including the INDY 500, the Daytona 500, the Long Beach Gran Prix and hundreds of other Goodyear events and executives. Merv was also responsible for covering one of Akron’s annual major events, the Soap Box Derby.

Merv served as a proud member of the United States Marine Corp. Serving during the Korean War, he was a decorated veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart. Mervyn held very high values and had an astounding strong sense of country and duty. This never rang so true as the day he was overheard speaking with another marine as they sat across from each other at breakfast table in the Cracker Barrel… “Without the brave efforts of all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and their families, this nation, along with our allies around the world, would not stand to boldly, shine so brightly… nor would we as Americans live so freely.” Ooh-Rah!

Mervyn’s knowledge of the world and life was almost legendary, whether you were nine, nineteen or ninety… if you were privileged enough to be seated at the table with him, you could be sure of an interesting and lively conversation of history, politics and world events. Merv enjoyed working with students of the Arts and taught courses in photography at the Winona School of Photography and at local colleges and universities including The University of Akron. This helped Merv earn a Master of Photography from the Professional Photographers of America. Merv was an individual with the unique gift of creating a work of art. As he often told his students who attended his photography classes at the University of Akron, “anyone can take a picture… it is the responsibility of the photographer to create a photo that tells the entire story without using a single word.”

The Mervyn F. Danison Memorial Photography will be awarded to an incoming junior or senior photography major, in need of financial assistance, in good standing and completing degree requirements at The University of Akron Mary Schiller Myers School of Art. The applicant must have a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA. Consideration will also be given to a junior or senior photo journalism majors.

Applications will be reviewed by The Mary Schiller Myers School of Art, the Office of Student Financial Aid with final approval from Mr. Michael G. Zimmerman and or the department chair. The scholarship funds will be used for tuition and fees.