The Flourishing

Introduction | The Founding | The Founders | The Universalists | The Building | The President and the Faculty | The Students and the Curriculum | The Flourishing

Although the institution now known as The University of Akron was founded by Universalists, by 1907, Buchtel College’s emphasis on local rather than denominational interests led it to become a private, nondenominational school. The college’s strong ties to the community and its challenging financial situation prompted Buchtel College trustees, led by President Parke R. Kolbe, to transfer the institution and its assets to the city of Akron in 1913. For the next 50 plus years, The Municipal University of Akron, assisted by city taxes, brought college education within the reach of many more people who otherwise may not have been able to afford it. During those years, enrollment swelled from 198 to 10,000.

The University’s growth paralleled the remarkable expansion of Akron. People were drawn to the city, already a major manufacturing center, by the promise of jobs. Companies such as the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, and B. F. Goodrich Company were headquartered in Akron, so it was only natural that the world’s first courses in rubber chemistry would be offered at the University, beginning in 1909. With the formation of the Rubber Technical Institute in 1942, University researchers and students were well-prepared to contribute to the development of synthetic rubber to aid the Allied war effort during the Second World War.

A long era of expansion followed World War II. Overseeing much of this growth was the University’s 10th president, Dr. Norman P. Auburn. Under Auburn’s leadership, the institution made the transition in 1967 from a municipal to a state university. In the years to follow, as tire production jobs left the Akron area, the University’s pioneering research was instrumental in helping the once-undisputed Rubber Capital of the World evolve into Polymer Valley. In 1988, the University established the world’s first College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering—now the largest academic program of its kind in the world. Then, the University began a whole new kind of transformation in 2000 with its New Landscape for Learning campus enhancement program that resulted in 22 new buildings, 18 major additions, acquisitions and renovations, and 34 acres of new green space to accommodate a growing student population.

Led today by its 18th president, Dr. Gary L. Miller, The University of Akron is the region’s most influential public research university, contributing to the resurgence of the local economy, providing a workforce highly trained in diverse disciplines, and known for an innovative approach to higher education.  With 80 buildings on 218 acres and four branch campuses, today’s UA has over 19,000 students representing 46 U.S. states and 71 foreign countries. The University offers more than 200 in-demand associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate and law degree programs, many that are recognized nationally for their excellence. Since its first commencement in 1873, the University has awarded over 218,000 degrees. The University of Akron has survived several depressions, two world wars, two fires to its main building, the Spanish Flu epidemic, numerous financial crises, protests, overcrowding, and now a global pandemic. It stands today, 150 years after its founding, as a testament to the incredible will, vision and determination of the college founders and those who followed in their footsteps. The University will continue to thrive and transform today and into the future, for in the words of President Miller, “We Rise Together!”

City of Akron Ordinance No. 4050, September 13, 1913
From the Buchtel College Records in Archival Services.

A series of events in the early 1910s, including a strike at the local rubber factories and the flood of 1913, led the Board of Trustees of Buchtel College, which had already broke with the Ohio Universalist Convention in 1907, to approach the city to acquire the college to ensure its survival. This city ordinance, which was similar to the proposal President Parke R. Kolbe submitted to the Board on April 14, 1913, outlines the agreement to transfer all physical properties and the endowment to the city to be operated as a municipal university. The proposal passed unanimously and was then turned over the the city for consideration. City Council passed the resolution on August 25, 1913, and Akron Mayor Frank Rockwell signed the ordinance the following day.
Municipal University of Akron Seal, ca. 1913
From The University of Akron Artifacts Collection in Archival Services.

This bronze plaque depicts the seal of The Municipal University of Akron. It incorporates the original Buchtel College seal, in order to pay homage to its predecessor, but includes the new name of the institution, along with its founding date, December 15, 1913. Although City Ordinance 4050 was signed on August 26, 1913, the new institution considered the 15th day of December its birthday as it was on that day that Mayor Rockwell officially appointed the new Board of Directors of The Municipal University of Akron. The institution was then supported by local taxes, which ensured its stability and survival into the future.
Parke R. Kolbe, ca. 1910s
Photograph from The University of Akron Photograph Collection in Archival Services.

Dr. Parke R. Kolbe, a Buchtel College graduate, son of long-time professor Carl F. Kolbe, and successor to his father as Professor of Modern Languages, served as President of Buchtel College and The Municipal University of Akron. He is credited with orchestrating the transfer of the college and its property to the city of Akron thereby creating the municipal university and ensuring the institution’s survival. Under Kolbe’s leadership, the student population doubled, the physical plant expanded, new departments and colleges were established, the new university received a number of accreditations, and the institution strengthened its bonds with the city and its growing rubber industry.
Map of University of Akron Campus, 1949
From The University of Akron Maps Collection in Archival Services.

The growth of the University including its enrollment and building program stagnated during the late 1920s and early 1930s due to the Great Depression. As the country climbed out of its economic slump, a few new buildings were constructed, including the Student Center and Simmons Hall, named for President Hezzleton E. Simmons who led the University during this trying time. However, enrollment and construction stalled once again in the early 1940s due to World War II and the masses of students leaving campus to assist the war effort. After the war, enrollment soared as students returned home and pursued an education, helped by the new GI Bill. As a result, building started to proliferate, as evidenced by this campus map drawn at the end of the decade. In the late 1940s, the University built two new buildings to keep up with the demand for new facilities. This included Ayer Hall as the new engineering building and Carroll Hall, which housed the University Library.
Chairman Schrank Signing R-30 Acreage Transfer Document, ca. 1967
From The University of Akron Photograph Collection in Archival Services.
 
The next era of major growth and expansion at The University of Akron occurred during the administration of President Norman P. Auburn. During his tenure, the institution became a state university, greatly expanded its campus, and added many new buildings. In this photograph, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Harry Schrank signs the R-30 acreage transfer document as Akron Mayor John Ballard and President Auburn look on. With this document, the city of Akron transferred 22.5 acres of land to the campus.
The Buchtelite, May 4, 1966
From The University of Akron Publications Collection in Archival Services.
 
This front page of the Buchtelite announces one of the most important events in the University’s history. On May 3, 1966, Akron voters overwhelmingly approved the proposal for the conversion of the University to state status and the Buchtelite released this article the following day with the headline “We Go State!” to express their satisfaction. The consummation came late in the spring of 1967 when the state legislature appropriated operating funds for the University beginning July 1, 1967, and the first Board of Trustees of The University of Akron assumed their duties on that date. According to the late University Historian Emeritus Dr. George W. Knepper, President Norman P. Auburn is regarded as “the architect of state status just as surely as [President] Parke Kolbe was the architect of the Municipal University.”
Aerial Photograph of UA Campus, ca. 1975
From The University of Akron Photograph Collection in Archival Services.

The physical facilities at The University of Akron continued to expand during the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. Under President Auburn’s leadership, new buildings and facilities were constructed and opened on campus, including, but not limited to Crouse Hall, new Knight Hall, Memorial Hall, Ritchie Hall, Orr Hall, Zook Hall, Leigh Hall, and the building named in his honor, the Auburn Science & Engineering Center. His successor, Dr. Dominic J. Guzzetta, continued this ambitious building campaign. He added several prominent structures such as the McDowell Law Center, Bierce Library, E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, and the Music, Speech, and Theater Arts Building, which later carried his name. Under Guzzetta’s leadership, the University even expanded out of the county by opening a new campus called Wayne College. As a result, enrollment topped the 20,000 mark.

Goodyear Polymer Center and West Campus, ca. 1990s
Photograph from The University of Akron Photograph Collection in Archival Services.
 
The University of Akron campus continued to grow and flourish in the 1980s and ’90s. Under President William V. Muse, the University initiated its “Span-The-Tracks” program to extend the campus into downtown Akron. This included the acquisition of the Polsky Building and the construction of the Business Administration Building on the edge of downtown. Then, in 1991, the University opened the 12-story, 146,000-square-foot Goodyear Polymer Center, one of the points of pride on the campus and in the community. The Goodyear blimps flying over the building in this image signifying the important, longstanding relationship between the University and the local rubber industry. West campus, including the College of Business Administration, can be seen extending into the downtown area in the background.
Student Union, ca. 2009
Photograph courtesy of University Communications and Marketing.
 
Under the direction of The University of Akron’s 15th president, Dr. Luis M. Proenza, The University of Akron transformed into the public research university for Northeast Ohio and one of the most attractive metropolitan campuses in the nation. The University’s ongoing campus enhancement program, called the “New Landscape for Learning,” had constructed or acquired 20 new facilities. These included classroom buildings, residence halls, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Honors Complex, Arts & Sciences Building, InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field, and the Student Union, now named after Jean Hower Taber. The campaign also made 18 major additions or renovations, and added 34 acres of new green space to campus.