The University of Akron Foundation paid for the full-page, supportive advertisement that appeared in Sunday’s Akron Beacon Journal.
The black-and-white ad, which cost $5,000, urged the community to “Come Together” and give the university time to solve its financial, enrollment and other problems.
It was signed by seven of Akron’s top business leaders and stated that it was paid for by “Friends of the University of Akron.”
Many assumed those business leaders funded the ad.
But UA spokesman Wayne Hill acknowledged Tuesday that the foundation, a fundraising arm of the school, was behind it.
The foundation used private, donated funds and not public or scholarship money, he said.
“The private, non-scholarship funds that were used for the ad are being donated to the University of Akron Foundation for this type of purpose by Richard W. Pogue, former chair of the University of Akron Board of Trustees, to help support efforts by the university and the community to — as the message in the ad stated — ‘Come together’ and help position UA for ‘... greater success, growth and positive economic impact on our community,’ ” Hill said in an email.
Asked why the ad didn’t state that it was paid for by the foundation, Hill said: “No particular reason. It’s accurate the way it is.”
Hill confirmed the cost of the ad.
The connection was first reported by the student newspaper the Buchtelite.
John Zipp, the president of the Akron chapter of the American Association of University Professors, questioned why the ad didn’t state that it was paid for by the foundation.
“It does make one pause,” he said.
The group Graduates Over Greed, made up of anonymous individuals who have been critical of the university, condemned the school in a news release for trying “to manufacture support for the university’s embattled president, Scott Scarborough.”
Scarborough and the board of trustees have faced significant criticism in the community since rebranding the school as “Ohio’s polytechnic university” and announcing $40 million worth of unpopular cuts over the summer.
UA this week announced the formation of a nine-member advisory group that will counsel Scarborough and the board. The members include the presidents of FirstEnergy Corp., Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and FirstMerit Corp.
Seven members of the new advisory group signed the ad that was purchased by the university foundation.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ.