Notable Alumni of the University of Akron
The University of Akron, a public research university located in Akron, Ohio, has a rich history of producing accomplished individuals across various fields. From arts and entertainment to politics and athletics, its alumni have made significant contributions to society. This article highlights some of the most notable graduates and former students who have walked the halls of this institution.
Introduction
The University of Akron (UA) has evolved significantly since its establishment in 1870. Originally founded as Buchtel College by the Universalist Church, it transitioned to a municipal university in 1913 and finally became a state university in 1967. Throughout its history, UA has been committed to providing quality education and fostering an environment where students can thrive and make a difference in the world. The list below showcases just a fraction of the remarkable individuals who have benefited from the education and experiences offered by the University of Akron.
Arts and Entertainment
The University of Akron has fostered the creative talents of several individuals who have achieved recognition in the entertainment industry:
- Yvette Nicole Brown: An accomplished actress, Yvette Nicole Brown is known for her roles in popular television shows such as "Community," "The Odd Couple," and "The Mayor." She also had a recurring role in "Drake & Josh" and has made guest appearances in numerous other shows. In 2021, she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her work in "A Black Lady Sketch Show."
- George Wallace: A comedian and actor, George Wallace has appeared in several films, including "3 Strikes" and the Coen Brothers' "The Ladykillers." He also played the Mayor of Gotham City in "Batman Forever."
- River Butcher: A stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, and podcast host known for personal, observational comedy focused on vegetarianism, feminism, love of baseball, and experiences as a queer person.
- Michael Buckley: An American children's author whose works include The Sisters Grimm, the N.E.R.D.S. book series, and Finn and the Intergalactic Lunchbox. He is also the co-creator of the animated TV series Robotomy.
Music
The University of Akron has nurtured musical talent, with several alumni making their mark in the music industry:
- James Ingram: A Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and record producer, James Ingram achieved significant success on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
- Dan Auerbach: Best known as the guitarist and vocalist of The Black Keys, a blues rock band from Akron, Ohio. Auerbach has also released two solo albums, Keep It Hid (2009) and Waiting on a Song (2017), and formed a side project, the Arcs, which released the albums Yours, Dreamily, (2015) and Electrophonic Chronic (2023).
- Patrick Carney: Best known as the drummer of the Black Keys, a blues rock band from Akron, Ohio.
- Neil Zaza: An American guitarist known for his instrumental rock compositions as well as his adaptation of classical works by Bach and Mozart into his own blend of neo-classical, melodic, guitar instrumentals.
Athletics
The University of Akron has a strong athletic tradition, with many of its athletes going on to achieve success at the professional level:
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- Jason Taylor: A former professional football player who played as a defensive end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL), spending the majority of his career with the Miami Dolphins. He is currently the defensive ends coach for the Miami Hurricanes.
- Ara Parseghian: An American football coach and player who coached the University of Notre Dame to national championships in 1966 and 1973.
- Jack Lengyel: An American software executive and former college football coach, college lacrosse coach, and athletics administrator. At Marshall, he took over the Thundering Herd football program after the Southern Airways Flight 932 plane crash that killed nearly the entire team in 1970.
- Romeo Travis: An American born naturalized Macedonian former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Akron.
- Dru Joyce III: An American men's college basketball coach and former professional player who is the head coach for the Duquesne Dukes.
- Richie Laryea: A Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a right-back or midfielder for Major League Soccer club Toronto FC and the Canada national team.
- Wil Trapp: An American professional soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club Minnesota United.
- Darren Mattocks: A Jamaican professional footballer who last played as a forward for Phoenix Rising FC and the Jamaica national football team.
- Clayton Murphy: An American middle-distance runner. He ran collegiately for the University of Akron, before signing with Nike in June 2016 and joining the Nike Oregon Project.
- Steve Zakuani: A Congolese former footballer. He was born in Zaire-now the Democratic Republic of the Congo-and grew up in London. After a successful college career, he played for the Seattle Sounders FC and the Portland Timbers.
- Anthony Ampaipitakwong: A retired professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. Born in the United States, he played for the Thailand national team.
- Adam Najem: A professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder. Born in the United States, he played for the Afghanistan national team.
- John Loyer: An American basketball coach.
- Dillon Serna: An American former professional soccer player who played as a midfielder. He spent most of his career in Major League Soccer for Colorado Rapids and in the USL Championship for Sporting Kansas City II and Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
- Larry Shyatt: An American basketball coach. He last served as an assistant coach of the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- Michael Johnson: An American football coach and former quarterback, and current wide receivers coach for Syracuse.
Politics and Government
The University of Akron has produced several notable figures in the fields of politics and government:
- Shri Thanedar: A representative from Michigan's 13th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Thanedar served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 2021 to 2023.
- Lynne M. Tracy: An American diplomat who is the United States ambassador to Russia, serving since January 2023. She formerly served as the United States ambassador to Armenia from 2019 to 2022.
- Betty Sutton: An American politician who currently serves as a Judge of Ohio's 9th District Court of Appeals. Representative for Ohio's 13th congressional district from 2007 to 2013.
- Riyad Mansour: A Palestinian-American diplomat and since 2005 has been the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations.
- Dan Horrigan: An American politician and educator who served as the 62nd mayor of Akron, Ohio from November 3, 2015 to January 1, 2024.
- Alice M. Batchelder: An American attorney and jurist. She is currently a senior United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
- Daniel Richard Crissinger: An American banker and lawyer who served as the 3rd chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1923 to 1927.
Other Notable Alumni
- Meg Johnson: An American poet and lecturer. Her poems have appeared in numerous literary magazines.
- Michael Morell: An American former career intelligence analyst. He was the deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2010 to 2013 and twice as its acting director, first in 2011 and then from 2012 to 2013.
- Dan Moldea: An American best-selling author and investigative journalist who has reported on organized crime and political corruption since 1974.
The University of Akron: An Overview
To fully appreciate the accomplishments of its alumni, it's essential to understand the institution that shaped them. The University of Akron is a public research university offering approximately 200 undergraduate and over 100 graduate majors. It also has three branch campuses: Wayne College in Orrville, Ohio; the Medina County University Center, in Lafayette Township, Ohio; and UA Lakewood, in the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood, Ohio.
UA's history is marked by significant milestones, including its transition from a religiously affiliated college to a municipal university and, ultimately, a state university. The university has also made substantial investments in its facilities, including the construction of a new football stadium and the acquisition of the Quaker Square Crowne Plaza Hotel as a residence hall.
The University of Akron is committed to academic excellence, offering a wide range of programs and resources to support its students. The university's School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering is particularly noteworthy, housed in a distinctive 12-story reflective glass building. Additionally, UA has a strong focus on research, with numerous centers and institutes dedicated to advancing knowledge in various fields.
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