Okey Iheduru - Tom and Carol Hickin Endowed Scholarship

The Okey Iheduru – Tom and Carol Hickin Endowed Scholarship was created in June 2022 as a gift to honor the 60th wedding anniversary of Corwin Thomas ‘’Tom" and Carol Jean Hickin. The scholarship also celebrates their unconditional hospitality as a host-family to and embracement of Okechukwu “Okey” Iheduru, a Nigerian graduate student, during his studies for a master’s degree in political science at The University of Akron from August 1986 to May 1988 and thereafter. The family bond between the Hickins and Okey Iheduru that developed from this providential encounter has blossomed over the years and continues to enrich both families and their children as a model of mutual intercultural understanding, bridge-building global education, and unconditional and selfless embrace of our common humanity.

The Okey Iheduru – Tom and Carol Hickin Endowed Scholarship was created by Professor Okey, Mrs. Prisca Iheduru and Tom and Carol’s children: Fr. Michael Hickin, Mrs. Catherine (and James) Mitchell, Mr. David (and Jennie) Hickin and Mrs. Ann Marie (and James) McCoy, and is recognized in support of We Rise Together, the Campaign for The University of Akron.

The Okey lheduru-Tom and Carol Hickin Endowed Scholarship provides support for an undergraduate student in political science with a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA). First consideration will be given to a student with demonstrated interest in international education and intercultural and immersion experience, particularly in Africa. This scholarship is renewable as long as the recipient continues to meet the criteria and remains in good standing with The University of Akron. Recipient selection will be made by the Department of Political Science as funds are available.