Akron Magazine | Dec. 2019

Distinguished Alumni, Community Friends Honored During A-Day

“A-Day” is one of the most cherished and revered activities at The University of Akron. In November, the UA Alumni Association hosted its 52nd Alumni Day “A-DAY” award ceremonies on campus.

In a tradition dating back to 1961, A-DAY recognizes the University’s most accomplished alumni, bestowing the highest honor – the Distinguished Alumni Honor Award, as well as the Honorary Alumni Honor award.

The Distinguished Alumni Honor Award recognizes alumni for their individual achievements, professional contributions, service to their community and loyalty to UA. Past recipients have included Akron’s most storied names -- Polsky, Bulger, Firestone, and Schumacher. The Honorary Alumni Honor Award celebrates friends of UA who, by their dedication, generosity and spirit of service help advance the University’s mission. The first Honorary Alumni Awards were given in 1971.

Standing (l-r) George W. Daverio Jr., Rebecca A. Slayman-Gallagher ’79, Yvette N. Brown ’94, Ted A. Mallo ’67, ’68, John A. LaGuardia ’70 ’74, and Glen L. Stephens ’84, ’86, ’88, President Gary L. Miller
Seated (l-r) Karen Daverio, Mark R. Belgya ’82, ’93, Beverly E. Belgya ’83, Ingrid Kennedy, and Maribeth Burns

The 2019 ceremonies honored seven Distinguished Alumni Honor Award recipients and four friends of the University who received the Honorary Alumni Award. The 2019 Distinguished Alumni Honor Award recipients were:

  • Mark R. Belgya ’82, ’93 and Beverly E. Belgya ’83;
  • Yvette N. Brown ’94;
  • John A. LaGuardia ’70 ’74;
  • Ted A. Mallo ’67, ’68, ’72;
  • Rebecca A. Slayman-Gallagher ’79; and
  • Glen L. Stephens ’84, ’86, ’88.

Friends receiving the Honorary Alumni Awards were:

  • Maribeth Burns;
  • George W. Daverio, Jr. and Karen Daverio; and
  • Ingrid Kennedy.

“These awards are such a special part of our University and have such a profound history,” said Willy Kollman, assistant vice president, Alumni Relations and executive director, The UA Alumni Association. “In more than 50 years of hosting this event, only 232 alumni have received the alumni honor award, with only 107 receiving the honorary alumni award. That is a small but important group of individuals for our institution. We are honored by their selection.”

The Akron Magazine Fall 2022 issue of The University of Akron

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