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Bunnell, Robert L. and Debra A. Scholarship

The Robert L. and Debra A. Bunnell Scholarship was established in 2014 (and revised in 2016) with a generous gift to ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ from alumni Robert L. and Debra A. Bunnell. The couple established the scholarship to assist deserving students studying civil engineering at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ.

A registered professional engineer in Ohio since 1980 and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Robert has more than 33 years of experience in civil engineering, having served as a design engineer, project manager, and engineering supervisor. He began his career in 1976 with the city of Akron’s Engineering Bureau and retired in 2008 as chief deputy engineer from the Office of the Summit County Engineer. Throughout his time with the city and the county, Robert also served as a part-time faculty member. He taught Statics, Mechanics of Solids, and Steel Design in the Department of Civil Engineering at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ from 1977 to 2016, and he taught Introduction to Building Structures and Structural Systems I and II in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State University from 2009 to 2016. Currently, he is a full-time Professor of Practice in ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Department of Civil Engineering.

A two-time University of Akron graduate, Robert earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1976, graduating summa cum laude, and his master’s degree in civil engineering in 1981.

Debra, who earned an associate degree from ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ in 1976, spent her career with American Greetings Corp. She and Robert have three adult sons: Kevin, Eric, and Aaron. Eric earned a B.A. in mass media production from ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ in 2010. The couple also has four grandchildren.

The Robert L. and Debra A. Bunnell Scholarship seeks to provide two non-renewable scholarships annually. Consideration for the scholarships will be given to students who:

• Are enrolled full time in the civil engineering program in ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ’s College of Engineering
• Have completed two full years of engineering coursework, including Introduction to the Mechanics of Solids

Preference will be given to students with demonstrated financial need.

Selection of the scholarship recipients will be made by Robert and Debra Bunnell in collaboration with the chair of the Department of Civil Engineering.