Margaret Ann Roberts Endowed Scholarship in Elementary Education

The Margaret Ann Roberts Endowed Scholarship in Elementary Education was lovingly established in October 2023 by the family of Margaret A. Roberts after her passing on April 23, 2023. Mrs. Roberts was born January 14, 1938, in Huntsville, Alabama to Herbert and Jessie Mae Warner. Her family relocated to Akron, Ohio, where Mrs. Roberts developed a love for reading and education at an early age. She would nurture that passion into a lifelong dedication to educating and enriching the lives of children.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from The University of Akron in 1959, Mrs. Roberts enjoyed a distinguished 36-year career in education, primarily with Akron Public Schools and the Ohio Department of Education. At all times, her focus was on reading and literacy, and her dedication did not go unnoticed. Among her many honors, she was voted Teacher of the Year by her peers at McEbright Elementary School and selected as a Jennings Scholar, earning a permanent teaching certificate from the Ohio Department of Education. Not surprisingly, she carried her commitment to teaching into retirement, working as a private tutor and reading coach and instructing teachers, college professors, and others on reading strategies for children.
Religion and family were also incredibly important to Mrs. Roberts. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church for more than 50 years, attending with her family (husband Richard and children Richard and Lori) and helping every committee that needed her service. Her children were also baptized at the church and attended its Sunday School.
For more than 60 years, Mrs. Roberts was a member of the Akron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and served the sorority in numerous roles. It was here that her dream of establishing a nonprofit was born, and she eventually founded the Minerva Fund of Akron to support local economic development and education, raise social and cultural awareness, and promote activities. She served the organization as its first and only president until her passing.
While widely recognized as an outstanding educator, loving daughter and sister, compassionate caretaker, dear friend, community advocate, and woman of God, Mrs. Roberts cherished most her role as an exceptional wife and mother. Her proudest moments were those she shared with her husband of 63 years, whom she met in l 1th grade, and the success of her children, both of whom excelled academically. Mrs. Roberts’ pride extended to her grandchildren, and she relished watching them grow to achieve their goals.
By establishing this endowment, the family hopes to assist today’s aspiring elementary school teachers reach their dreams, thereby continuing in perpetuity Mrs. Robert’s legacy of ensuring all children have the reading and literacy skills they need to reach their full potential.
The Margaret Ann Roberts Endowed Scholarship in Elementary Education was created as part of We Rise Together, the Campaign for The University of Akron.

Students eligible for The Margaret Ann Roberts Endowed Scholarship in Elementary Education must be enrolled in The LeBron James Family Foundation School of Education and:
• Be pursuing a degree in elementary education
• Have demonstrated financial need

First preference is for recipients to be:
• Graduates of a Summit County, Ohio, high school
• The first in their families to attend college

However, if a Summit County high school graduate and/or a first-generation college student are unavailable, the scholarship may be awarded to any Ohio high school graduate who meets the criteria. Funds from the scholarship may be used for on-campus room and board, as well as meal plans. Funds used for purposes other than qualified educational expenses may be reportable and/or taxable to the recipient. Recipients shall be selected by The University of Akron Scholarship Committee in the Office of Student Financial Aid.