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Matthew J. Wilson
(2016-2018)
Matthew Wilson was named the 17th President of The University of Akron by unanimous vote of The UA Board of Trustees on Oct. 19, 2016, after having served as interim president for about three months. As president, Wilson placed students first while emphasizing academic quality, innovation, research, globalization, entrepreneurship, flexibility in programming, and affordability.
During his tenure, President Wilson led a collective effort that resulted in elimination of debt and deep cost savings, an increase in new freshmen enrollment, and improved retention rates. He also devised and implemented a unique “guaranteed” scholarship program, enhanced administrative transparency, improved relations with the faculty and the community, and increased enrollment of international students and fostered international partnerships. He also facilitated the creation of a varsity esports team at the University.
Before his presidency, Wilson served as Dean of The University of Akron School of Law, from 2014 to 2016. Under his leadership, Wilson implemented innovative and creative programming, increased first year student enrollment by 40 percent, achieved for the Law School specialty rankings and national awards, and oversaw the $21 million comprehensive renovation of the Law School facilities.
President Wilson earned a B.S. in Political Science and a B.A. in Asian Studies, with a minor in Japanese, at the University of Utah in 1995, and a Juris Doctor at Temple University, in 1999. Wilson has also worked as an attorney in Florida, New Jersey, and Japan. In addition to his higher education and legal career, Wilson has worked for several companies in Japan, including a hydrological and meteorological instruments manufacturer and a large electronics maker. After leaving The University of Akron, Wilson served as the fifth President of Missouri Western State University, from 2019 to 2020.
“This truly is a fine university with an outstanding faculty, committed administrators and contract professionals, and an excellent staff. We play a vital role in the local community, and even more significantly, in the lives and futures of our students.”
– Matthew J. Wilson
Photograph Courtesy of University Communications and Marketing
During President Wilson’s administration, The University of Akron received the largest gift in its history—more than $20 million from the estate of Jean Hower Taber, a long-time community volunteer, philanthropist, and friend of UA. About two-thirds of the gift was used to support scholarships while the remainder was used to underwrite maintenance for UA’s Hower House, the historic Victorian home and former residence of Akron’s prominent Hower Family. The following year, the Student Union was named the Jean Hower Taber Student Union in her honor.
Photograph Courtesy of University Communications and Marketing
One of President Wilson’s initiatives to place more focus on students was relaunching the University’s New Student Convocation. The purpose of the event was to introduce new Zips to the UA community, celebrate our traditions and pride, and affirm the University’s commitment to their success. In 2016, the event was more formal, held in E.J. Thomas Hall with a faculty processional in academic regalia and speeches by faculty and administrators. However, the following year took a more fun and relaxed approach. Held out of doors at FirstEnergy Stadium, it concluded with President Wilson taking a selfie with 2,000 of his new friends.
Photograph Courtesy of University Communications and Marketing
President Wilson (second from left) and others cut the ribbon to open the International Center at The University of Akron. The center is a one-stop-shop for international students, immigration services, and those interested in education abroad. One of President Wilson’s major goals and accomplishments during his administration was recruiting and keeping international students, and his connections and teaching experience in Japan greatly assisted with this. As Wilson stated, “we welcome students from all countries, from all walks of life, all backgrounds, from all religions, from all creeds, all orientations. . . . by going even more global, by having that emphasis on internationalization, our classrooms can be even more enriched.”
Photograph Courtesy of University Communications and Marketing
President Wilson was known for being very approachable and having an open door policy and a great rapport with students. He often gave out his cellphone number, business card, and e-mail address to students and provided them extra attention. One of his approaches to developing a better relationship with students was to share his love and knowledge of the game of basketball, setting up a basketball goal outside Bucthel Hall and the Student Union where he would allow students to challenge him to a game of one-on-one or shooting contest. Winners would get a Starbucks gift card.
Photograph Courtesy of University Communications and Marketing
One of President Wilson’s more minor, but memorable accomplishments was creating the University’s bike share program. The program was a collaboration between the University, the Knight Foundation, and Summit Cycling Center. It featured bright red bicycles placed on campus that could be signed out by members of the campus community and used to get around the campus and the city.
Photograph Courtesy of University Communications and Marketing
One of President Wilson’s ways to make The University of Akron distinctive and more attractive to perspective students was to create a varsity esports team. When the program was launched in 2017, UA was the first public university in northern Ohio to create a varsity esports program. According to Wilson, “The University of Akron and its students will benefit significantly from the creation of an esports program. Embracing esports allows the University to continue attracting top students while providing an innovative pathway for students to flourish academically, socially and professionally.”
“He [President Wilson] clearly has led the way to stabilize the University in terms of its reputation, its finances, its enrollment, its donations and its relationships with its many stakeholders.”
– UA Board of Trustees Chair Roland Bauer