Jay and Teddi Musson helped to create the Musson Veterans Lounge
by Janet Chismar-Hardie '92
Jay Musson’s road to The University of Akron (UA) took him deep into the jungles of Vietnam, through fierce battles in Mekong Valley, and left him with a Purple Heart—along with scars from PTSD.
Sharing his story on a sunny morning at Akron Family Restaurant, Jay showed none of the pain and heartache he endured during the war. He spoke gladly about his family’s “blue and gold blood” and the charitable legacy that resulted in the creation of Musson Veterans Lounge in InfoCision Stadium.
Dedicated on Sept. 12, 2011, the lounge offers student-veterans a place to relax, study and enjoy the same camaraderie that they experienced while serving their country.
In retracing the steps between Vietnam and Akron, Musson began with the summer of 1965. As a freshman at the University, Musson was as carefree as any 18 year old. Maybe too carefree. After just one semester, Musson recognized that he wasn’t yet ready for the commitment of higher education.
Unfortunately, due to leaving college, “Uncle Sam soon came calling.” Musson enlisted in 1966, went on active duty in 1967 and was sent to Vietnam in 1968. Through military training and witnessing the horrors of war, Musson matured in a hurry.
“I didn’t really realize what I had experienced when I was over there,” he shared. “So, for a long time, I didn’t seek any help. Many veterans would be in denial and no one really talked about trauma during that time. It took until about 20 years ago before I admitted what was going on.”
The Journey Back
When he came home to Akron after the war, Musson simply jumped back into life as he left it. He married for the first time, began raising a family and took classes off and on. “Finally, after a number of unfulfilling jobs, I decided to enroll at UA full-time on the GI Bill,” Musson said.
Although he wanted to be a history teacher, that didn’t pan out and Musson found his way to the College of Business. There he earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting in 1979 and business administration in 1981.
Following a handful of corporate jobs, Musson began to work at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Cleveland, where he put his empathy to good use along with his accounting skills. He retired in 2013.
These days, you can often find Musson on the UA campus; he serves on the board of The University of Akron Foundation and as secretary of the Executive Committee.
Jay and his current wife, Teddi, both are active on the Arts Advancement Council of Akron.
Teddi’s Tale
Right out of high school, Teddi went to Miami University in Ohio, which she attended for two years before marrying her first husband. After he passed away, Teddi returned to college, this time enrolling at The University of Akron part time. She graduated in 1994 with a degree in accounting
“I loved being a student and discovered the joy of learning when I went back to school,” said Teddi. As a nontraditional student, she appreciated the flexibility of classes, the ease of navigating campus and the fact that she did not feel strange about being older than some of her classmates.
After graduation, she started working at Babcock & Wilcox, where she crossed paths with Jay and formed a solid friendship. The two have now been married 19 years.
Following her retirement, Teddi also found her way back to the UA campus where she lends her talents to the University’s Women in Philanthropy Committee.
Last spring, Teddi and Jay toured the Akron Civic Theatre. They marveled at the beauty of that landmark and how so many amenities are within walking distance of downtown and the UA campus.
“I am really excited about how the University has grown and its involvement with the City of Akron,” Teddi said. “It is mutually beneficial; the City draws a lot from the University and vice versa. It’s a visibly strong connection and I am proud to be an alumna of UA and a resident of Akron.”
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