Urban revitalization expert to deliver address at UPA luncheon May 10

Paul Grogan will deliver the keynote address at University Park Alliance's (UPA) community engagement and real estate development awards luncheon on Monday, May 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in The University of Akron's Student Union Ballroom. Currently serving as president and CEO of the Boston Foundation, Grogan is a former vice president for government, community and public affairs at Harvard University; founder of "CEOs for Cities;" and the former president and CEO of the nonprofit Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC). He is currently a trustee of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; a director of the Community Development Trust; a director of New Profit, Inc.; and the author, with Tony Proscio, of the book, “Comeback Cities: A Blueprint for Urban Neighborhood Revival.”
 
The annual UPA awards, sponsored by Dominion Foundation, recognize outstanding community members, businesses, institutions and service agencies, as well as UA students, faculty and staff, for their contributions to the revitalization of the University Park neighborhood surrounding the University. Proceeds will benefit UPA’s scholarship fund for long-term residents of the University Park neighborhood. This year's luncheon program also will showcase UPA's present, planned and potential “Educational Excellence” programs, as well as the tremendous educational amenities currently available in the University Park neighborhood.
 
Tickets are $35 for the general public, $15 for community residents and students, $800 for corporate tables of eight and $400 for community-based, nonprofit tables of eight. As in prior years, sell-out attendance at 550 is expected. Tickets can be purchased online at www.upakron.com or by calling 330-972-8859.

About University Park Alliance

The mission of University Park Alliance is to revitalize and transform the diverse University Park neighborhood, a 50-block area immediately surrounding The University of Akron, through engaging the community and leveraging real estate and business investment. UPA was established through a major grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and is comprised of partners that include The University of Akron, city of Akron, Summa Health System, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron General Health System, Akron Beacon Journal, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, the Greater Akron Chamber, Akron Public Schools and the University Park Development Corporation.

Contact: Beth Houseman, 330-972-8859, bh37@uakron.edu