Caroline Julia Pardee, longtime assistant to UA presidents, passes away at 92

Akron, Ohio, Aug. 27, 2003 — The most enduring resident of The University of Akron campus, Caroline J. Pardee, died at home early Tuesday of natural causes.

Pardee, who served as secretary and administrative assistant to the presidents of The University of Akron from 1953 through 1981, was born and lived at 161 South Union Street. The house, Pardee's family home since 1875, was the last private residence on the University's campus.

Pardee was executive secretary to Dr. Norman P. Auburn from February 1953 until his retirement in September 1971, and then was executive secretary and administrative assistant to Dr. Dominic J. Guzzetta until her retirement in 1981.

She was a staunch supporter of and benefactor to the University. Her legacy remains apparent through the annual Judge W. E. Pardee Memorial Award, the endowment for the annual Judge and Mrs. W. E. Pardee Memorial Scholarship, the Judge W. E. Pardee Moot Court Room in the School of Law and the Pardee Lobby in E. J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. She also established the annual Donald M. Jenkins Award for the senior graduating from the School of Law with the highest grade point average.

Pardee was the only child of Judge William E. and Mrs. Helen (nee Lanphere) Pardee. Born June 18, 1911, she was the valedictorian of Akron's Central High School in 1928 and graduated from The University of Akron in 1932. She later attended Radcliffe College and the Actual Business College (in Akron).

She was active in numerous civic and social organizations in Akron, including the Phi Sigma Alpha scholastic honorary society, Friends of Hower House, College Club of Akron, Altrusa, Stan Hywet Foundation, Akron Art Institute, Great Lakes Historical Society, Akron Woman's City Club, Akron District Heart Association and the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron.

Pardee traveled widely, flying more than 370,000 miles, going around the world three times and visiting 76 countries and six continents.

She also wrote verse and a short biography on the life of Ernest Warther, the woodcarver from Dover, Ohio.