
John D. Crabtree '72 (center), nephew of the late June Kitarich, with President Matthew J. Wilson (right) and Vice President Kim Cole (left).
John and Kathleen Crabtree facilitated a gift supporting The Peter A. and Carol J. Kitarich Endowed Scholarship Fund. John's aunt, Mrs. June D. Kitarich, passed away on March 1, 2017. Mrs. Katarich's brother, Alfred Ray Seese, Jr. and son, Peter Allen, were both graduates of The University of Akron.
"My aunt June was very involved in her community by work and deed," said John Crabtree. "She was a dedicated community volunteer and knew the importance of The University of Akron. Her gift will encourage others to achieve and contribute to their community as did her son, Peter Allen, and her daughter, Carol, who predeceased her."
The Kitarich Endowed Scholarship will enhance The Akron Guarantee Scholarship, a new program launched in 2016. The program promises guaranteed yearly renewal, combined with financial incentives for timely progress toward degree completion for students retaining defined GPA and enrollment credit levels.
"Generous gifts such as this help make The University of Akron even more affordable," President Wilson told John and Kathleen. Furthermore, "June Kitarich's legacy will now include generations of students who were able to earn a college degree in part because of her thoughtfulness."