Source: Andrew Unangst / Getty
AKRON – The University of Akron has received a $20 million gift from the estate of a longtime community volunteer and philanthropist, making it the largest donation in the university’s history.
UA President Matthew Wilson made the announcement during the University of Akron Foundation’s annual meeting early Thursday afternoon. The massive gift comes from the estate of Jean Hower Taber who passed away at the age of 94 this past summer.
About two-thirds of the gift will support scholarships for honor students and students studying audiology. The remaining amount will help support maintenance of the Hower House, which was gifted to the university by Taber’s father, John B. Hower, in 1973.
Taber is the great granddaughter of John H. Hower, one of the founders of the Quaker Oats Company and the builder of the 1871 Victorian Hower House.
Prior to the most recent donation, Taber has gifted more than $7.7 million to UA over the years.
Taber’s family members were among those who attended Thursday’s announcement.
READ MORE: WKYC.com
Article Courtesy of WKYC Channel 3 News Cleveland
Picture Courtesy of Andrew Unangst and Getty Images
Video Courtesy of the University of Akron, YouTube, and WKYC Channel 3 News Cleveland
