Jean Hower Taber Student Union: A Legacy of Philanthropy and Progress at The University of Akron
The University of Akron's Student Union stands as a testament to student life and community engagement. Its renaming as the Jean Hower Taber Student Union is a tribute to a woman whose generosity and dedication have profoundly impacted the university. Jean Hower Taber, a longtime benefactor of the school, left an indelible mark on The University of Akron through her philanthropy and commitment to its students. Her story is intertwined with the history of Akron and the Hower family, prominent figures in the city's industrial and cultural landscape.
From Industrial Roots to Philanthropic Legacy
Jean Hower Taber's lineage traces back to John H. Hower, a co-owner of an Akron company that later became part of the Quaker Oats Co. The Hower family's influence extended beyond the business realm, as evidenced by their donation of the Hower House, a 28-room Victorian mansion built in 1871, to UA in 1970. Jean Hower Taber herself was a community volunteer and philanthropist who served on the Hower House Board of Trustees. She graduated from Colby Sawyer Junior College in 1943 and married Benjamin C. Taber. As a member of The University of Akron Foundation Board of Directors from 1986 to 1992, Taber demonstrated a sustained commitment to the university's well-being.
Over her lifetime, Taber's contributions to The University of Akron surpassed $7.5 million, directed towards supporting the Hower House and its grounds, student scholarships, and various academic and athletic programs. Her generosity culminated in a $20 million donation from her estate, revealed in October after her passing in July at the age of 94. This historic gift, the largest single donation in the university's history, solidified her legacy as a transformative figure in the institution's development.
The Jean Hower Taber Student Union: A Hub of Campus Life
The Student Union, now bearing Jean Hower Taber's name, is a $41 million building that opened in phases in 2002 and 2004. It replaced the Gardner Student Center, which had served the university since the 1930s under the guidance of a former dean of students. The Jean Hower Taber Student Union serves as a central hub for student activities, providing a space for social interaction, events, and various campus services. The renaming of this vital building recognizes Taber's significant contributions to the university and ensures that her name will be forever associated with the vibrant heart of student life at The University of Akron.
Impact on Scholarships, Programs, and Facilities
Approximately two-thirds of Jean Hower Taber's $20 million estate gift will be dedicated to scholarships for honors students and audiology students, with the first scholarships expected to be awarded next school year. This investment in student success will provide crucial financial assistance to deserving individuals, enabling them to pursue their academic goals and contribute to their respective fields. The remaining portion of the gift will support programming and maintenance of the Hower House, ensuring the preservation of this historical landmark and its continued use as a valuable resource for the university and the community.
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A Catalyst for Increased Donations and University Progress
The announcement of Jean Hower Taber's gift coincided with a period of positive financial momentum for The University of Akron. Donations to the university jumped nearly 60 percent for the first six months of the fiscal year. The university raised $16.28 million in gifts from July 1 to December 31 of the prior year, up 57 percent from the $10.36 million raised during the same period the previous year. This surge in donations reflects a broader trend of increased philanthropic support for the university, signaling a turnaround from a decline in donations during the tenure of former UA President Scott Scarborough.
The university's fundraising efforts are on track to exceed the $18.5 million raised during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017. The increase in new donors, with UA recording 851 new donors in the six months ending December 31, up 47 percent from the year-ago period, further underscores the growing confidence in the university's mission and leadership.
University Initiatives and Developments
The University of Akron has undertaken several initiatives to enhance the student experience and improve the campus environment. More than $300,000 was raised during the latest six-month period for the Making a Difference, Moving Forward scholarships, an initiative that UA President Wilson began in 2016. Donors also contributed $4.2 million for other scholarships.
Efforts are also underway to reduce the projected budget deficit for the fiscal year. Expenses are being held down, and it is now likely the university will withdraw $20 million from reserves instead of $29 million. Green spaces will be created at the site of the former Plasma Center and on the site of where the Grant Street residence townhouses and high rise stood. Additionally, the Board approved a 12-credit-hour certificate in social media.
The Legacy of Matthew J. Wilson
Matthew J. Wilson served as the 17th President of The University of Akron. 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. One of President Wilson’s initiatives to place more focus on students was relaunching the University’s New Student Convocation. One of President Wilson’s major goals and accomplishments during his administration was recruiting and keeping international students. 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.
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Hower House: A Glimpse into the Past
The Hower House Museum offers a glimpse into the lives of the Hower family and the history of Akron. Hillary Nunn, an English professor at the University of Akron, has conducted extensive research on Blanche Hower, the former matriarch of Hower House. Nunn's research revealed Blanche's involvement in government and education in Akron, challenging the perception of her as merely a privileged socialite. Blanche was married to Milton Otis Hower, a prominent Ohio businessman who worked in leadership at The American Cereal Company, which later became part of Quaker Oats. A 2021 exhibit at Hower House Museum featured recipes the family used for dinner parties.
Nunn proposed a class focused on creating an online searchable database of the menus and recipes from Hower House. The class transcribed 92 recipes and menus, all of which are now available to view online. Other students in the class delved into some of Blanche’s other papers: her letters. By the end of the class, students had a greater understanding of Blanche. She was a strong supporter of education and women’s suffrage. When Blanche’s husband died in 1916, she became president of his company. She also became involved in politics, running for the Akron Board of Education in 1929 and later serving as a state legislator in the 1930s.
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