Barbara Dunaway Endowed Scholarship

The Barbara Dunaway Endowed Scholarship was established in 2018 by the loving family of Barbara Dunaway to honor her lifelong dedication to her family, and to celebrate her twenty-year career with The University of Akron.

Dunaway began working at The University of Akron in 1979 as a part-time employee in the Registrar’s office. She soon transitioned to a full-time position in the Dean’s Office in the Community and Technical College, known today as the College of Applied Science and Technology. Five years later, she moved to a position as an assistant in the Dean’s Office in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, where she worked for the balance of her career.

A strong proponent of higher education, Dunaway entered college immediately after high school but placed her educational goals on hold. Instead, she married, started a family and dedicated herself to them, raising four children in Akron while modeling hard work, responsibility, and graciousness. Barbara also instilled within her family the understanding that education is one of life’s greatest assets.

In fact, all of Dunaway’s children – Barry ’84, Brett ’87, Beth ’89, and Bruce ’95 – graduated from The University of Akron, and were grateful recipients of the tuition benefits they received as a result of their mother’s employment. Ultimately, Dunaway achieved her own dream in higher education when she earned an associate’s degree in 1989.

In honor of their mother’s legacy and in appreciation to The University of Akron, the family of Barbara Dunaway now wishes to extend their support to other working mothers pursuing a college degree through The Barbara Dunaway Endowed Scholarship.

Students wishing to be considered for the annual Barbara Dunaway Endowed Scholarship, which will be applied directly to a student’s account to cover tuition and applicable fees, must meet these requirements:

Age 25 or older and returning to school, full or part-time, at The University of Akron

• Studying a major in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences
• Previously have earned a minimum of 30 credit hours
• Be a parent, with preference toward female students
• Be in good academic standing, with a minimum 3.0 GPA

Candidate recommendations will be made by the Director of UA Adult Focus, with final selection made by the Dunaway family. If members of the Dunaway family are unable to participate or provide a designee, final selection will be made by the Director of UA Adult Focus.