Caroline Pardee Scholarships at UA

By Ashleigh Bonina

Since my first posting about Caroline Pardee two weeks ago, more resources about her life and impact on The University of Akron have come to light. Several readers have volunteered information, and the University of Akron Archival Services have helped steer me to even more materials about her time at UA.

For example, I had already known that Pardee funded and donated to several different scholarships. These scholarships cover a wide range of topics including athletics, engineering, law and educational needs. But I learned from further investigations in the archives. She funded the Judge and Mrs. W.E. Pardee Memorial Scholarship which was established in 1965. This scholarship was created in memory of her father and mother. This endowed scholarship fund provides awards to law students in the day program based on academic merit at The University of Akron School of Law. She also donated funds to establish the Pardee Moot Court Room in the School of Law in memory of her father.

Another scholarship fund she donated to was The Norman P. Auburn Scholarship in Engineering. Although she was not personally passionate about engineering, she donated to this scholarship to support her good friend and colleague, Norman Auburn. She also recognized how important it was to continue developing the academic success of The University of Akron and it’s students’ education. 

Pardee not only donated to various organizations and scholarship funds of her friends, but established several scholarships of her own. There is the Caroline J. Pardee Endowed Scholarship Fund that was established in June 1981 by alumni, friends and colleagues in recognition of Pardee’s retirement after almost 30 years of service to The University of Akron. Caroline Pardee established the Caroline J. Pardee Athletic Scholarship for Women in 1985. This scholarship provides financial assistance to deserving undergraduate women who are participants in the university’s varsity’s intercollegiate athletic program. 

These are just some examples of how Pardee has contributed and donated to the university to help students financially and academically. She made an impact in so many ways and has helped so many people. I have included a link to my instagram blog, https://www.instagram.com/uawomengrads/, where you can see these donations and achievements in more detail.