The University of Akron celebrates 50 years of Honors education

The University of Akron (UA) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of offering its Honors education program - now known as the Drs. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Honors College (WHC) - with two special public events in October that lead into Homecoming and Family Weekend.

The anniversary festivities, which highlight the 5-decade history and impact of the Honors program, begin on Thursday, Oct. 2, with the John S. Knight Lecture featuring iconic broadcast journalist Connie Chung. She will participate in a fireside chat-style discussion with UA President R.J. Nemer at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. The Knight Lecture starts at 7:30 p.m. is free and open to all, with no tickets needed.

The signature event of the Honors celebration will be a celebratory dinner on Friday, Oct. 3, at the Jean Hower Taber Student Union's Paul and Dorothy Martin Ballroom. More details, including ticket purchase information, can be found here.

A portion of proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Dr. Dale H. Mugler Honors Research Fund, which supports WHC student research. This fund was established in 2015 but was converted earlier this year into an endowment to maximize the impact for UA students now and in the future. Mugler led the Honors program starting in 2005, overseeing its transition into the Honors College by 2005 and the construction of the Honors Complex, among other accomplishments. More than $70,000 has already been raised for the fund.

"As we celebrate 50 years of Honors education at The University of Akron, the Williams Honors College is proud to reflect on our past while investing in the future," said Dr. Fedearia Nicholson-Sweval, vice provost for student pathways and dean of the WHC. "Welcoming back alumni, faculty and former leaders allows us to reflect on a legacy of excellence, while the Dr. Dale H. Mugler Honors Research Fund ensures our students will have expanded opportunities to pursue meaningful research that will shape the next 50 years."

UA's talented faculty and student arts groups will offer entertainment during the dinner. Theron Brown, assistant professor of practice in the School of Music and a nationally renowned pianist, jazz artist and educator, will headline the event. Students from the School of Dance will perform. UA's Rock Candy Chamber Orchestra, a multi-disciplinary chamber ensemble, will perform under the direction of Dr. Marlene Moses, professor of violin and viola in the School of Music.

The Honors anniversary events will provide a spirited transition to UA's Homecoming and Family Weekend activities Oct. 3-5. Highlights include Zippy's Homecoming Tailgate and the UA football game against Central Michigan, both on Saturday, Oct. 4. Visit the UA Homecoming and Family Weekend information page for more details.

About UA Honors education and the Drs. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Honors College

Honors programming at UA began in 1975 and, 30 years later, it grew into a full-fledged college. Then, in 2015, thanks to the vision and generosity of Drs. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams, it was renamed the Williams Honors College (WHC), further solidifying its mission to enrich scholars and changemakers ready to leave their mark on the world. There are more than 8,000 Honors alumni.

The mission of the WHC is to inspire intellectually curious scholars within an inclusive community of excellence at The University of Akron. The WHC provides unique academic experiences for students, including opportunities to engage in challenging curricula and research within all academic colleges of the university. The WHC fosters an environment that promotes transformational growth through experiential learning, service, cultural experiences, and study abroad. The Honors experience develops graduates who contribute to their local and global community through their lifelong respect for learning.

About the Dr. Dale H. Mugler Honors Research Fund

The Dr. Dale H. Mugler Honors Research Fund was established in honor of Mugler by his family, colleagues, friends and UA alumni upon his retirement as dean of the Honors College. The fund recognizes his passion for opening doors of opportunity for undergraduate research. The description was revised in 2025, as the fund is now endowed.

Mugler had a distinguished career at UA from 1989 to 2015. He holds four patents and founded a biomedical startup supported by the University of Akron Research Foundation. As dean, Mugler oversaw the construction of the Honors Complex, established a study-abroad program, connected Honors students with advanced research opportunities and founded two a cappella music groups - an extension of his lifelong passion for music.

The purpose of the fund is to support WHC undergraduate research projects with cash awards. The WHC dean will administer the fund, select student recipients of the cash award(s) and set the amounts of the award(s) each year based on available funds.

Make a tax-deductible gift to the fund here.

Media contact: Cristine Boyd, [email protected], 330-972-6476