Larry '70 and Susan Allen Retention and Recruitment Scholarship

The Larry ’70 and Susan Allen Retention and Recruitment Scholarship was established in 2023 by Larry and Susan Allen as part of We Rise Together, the Campaign for The University of Akron (UA). The scholarship aims to provide support to students in the College of Engineering and Polymer Science who are at risk of having to leave UA because of financial hardships, or those who desire to attend the University but require additional financial assistance.

Larry and Susan Allen are supporters of The University of Akron and substantive leaders in advancing the cause of the University. Their roots of service to UA emanate from their love of Akron; their advocacy for the city is demonstrated through service and philanthropy that help the community flourish.

Larry Allen is a native of Akron and a graduate of both The University of Akron and Firestone High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from UA in 1970. A man of deep conviction and concern for communities, Larry has dedicated his efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of others. His work with Family Answers, a nonprofit organization providing counseling and in-home care services for those in need in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, exemplifies his commitment to addressing the challenges faced by that community.

Also a native of Akron and an alumna of Firestone High School, Susan’s commitment to Akron and those who serve its interests run deep. Her father was John S. Ballard, a 1943 UA graduate who served as Akron mayor from 1966-1979. He also was a former adjunct associate professor of Public Administration and Urban Studies at UA and former member of The University of Akron Board of Trustees.
The Allens’ impact has touched families from a variety of economic strata, from community members facing financial hardships to assisting students with scholarship opportunities through The Larry W. Allen Scholarship for Engineering Excellence, and support of the College of Engineering, Zips on the Rise Scholarships, and The University of Akron Foundation. The Allens’ professional lives and interests have taken them nearly 2,000 miles across the country, but their hearts and their service remain unwavering to Akron, as evidenced by their continued dedication to the University and the surrounding community.

The Allen’s understand retention and recruitment are vital components of success for the College of Engineering & Polymer Science. Increasing the availability of immediate use and need-based scholarships are essential to this effort. This critically important initiative will help make sure promising UA students can complete their academic journeys toward graduation and continue on to professional success, regardless of socioeconomic status.

Students eligible for The Larry ’70 and Susan Allen Retention and Recruitment Scholarship must:
• Be an undergraduate student of any major offered by The University of Akron College of Engineering and Polymer Science,
• Be in good academic standing, and
• Have demonstrated financial need

Eligible recipients of The Larry ’70 and Susan Allen Retention and Recruitment Scholarship can be identified by the College of Engineering and Polymer Science Scholarship Committee for recruitment and retention purposes or by the Office of Student Financial Aid. In addition, students experiencing financial hardship can request scholarship assistance by contacting anyone in a leadership role in the college. Students are not required to complete a scholarship application, and scholarship awards can be disbursed at any time during the academic year. Scholarship funds can be applied to any qualified educational expense.