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Scholarships awarded at annual Harold K. Stubbs event
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: June 30, 2021
Nine Akron high school seniors recently received assistance in paying for their college education through the Judge Harold K. Stubbs Scholarship Program.
The recipients were announced during the 31st annual awards program, which took place virtually this year on April 30.
“Because of the pandemic, we could not hold our traditional dinner, which would normally include 400 plus attendees,” said Akron attorney Charles L. Greene, general chairperson for the Harold K. Stubbs program. “However, we did want to continue to provide scholarships to deserving students, whose financial needs did not stop because of COVID.”
Sponsored by St. Paul AME Church, the program was established to pay tribute to the memory of Akron Municipal Judge Harold K. Stubbs, the city’s first Black law director. Known for his many civic activities, the courthouse where he served was renamed in his honor in 1991 and is now known as the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center.
“Helping our youth reach their potential is an important part of the ministry of St. Paul AME Church,” said Greene. “We believe there is a high correlation between education, wealth and health. Many of our awardees have earned their degrees and are now professionals in their fields.”
Each year, the program provides eight or nine students with scholarships to help cover the increasing cost of higher education. In addition to doing well academically, recipients must have made significant contributions to the community, as Judge Stubbs did.
Over the last 31 years, nearly $3 million in educational aid has been awarded.
“Back when I started college in the 1950s, it was possible to work your way through college,” said Greene. “In today’s world, that’s simply not possible. Instead, students with financial needs have to borrow money and end up graduating school with crippling debt. Worse yet, some students don’t even manage to graduate and are left with a large financial burden.
“We at St. Paul AME Church believe that an educated person obtains a personal benefit, but there’s also an undeniable public benefit,” said Greene. “Therefore we should not place such a heavy financial burden on our young people to provide for an educated populace. This financial model needs to be reexamined.”
Since the program’s inception, Kent State University has provided a full scholarship to one student each year, said Greene, a former faculty member and vice president for human resources at the university.
This year the Kent State scholarship was awarded to Miranda L. Honaker, a senior at John R. Buchtel Community Learning Center (CLC).
“One of our past full scholarship winners was valedictorian at Kent State University,” said Greene, who together with his wife Delores established The Charles L. Greene Endowed Scholarship, which is awarded to a first-generation undergraduate student who grew up in Ohio.
“For many years, The University of Akron also provided a full scholarship, but was forced to withdraw in recent years,” said Greene. “We are hopeful that they will participate again in the near future.”
In addition to the Kent State scholarship, eight other Akron high school seniors received partial scholarships of $1,700 apiece.
They include Julian F. Grimes and Trayonna J. James (Buchtel); Brendan A. Chapman-Thomas, Jeremy N. Dang and William L. Leach (Harvey S. Firestone CLC); Reagan G. Dudones (Ellet CLC); Sativa’ M. Neal (East CLC) and Myiah E. Webb (St. Vincent-St. Mary High School).
“The competition for our scholarships increases every year,” said Reneé Greene, scholarship chairwoman. “The 2021 winners are very deserving and we are happy to help them pursue their higher education goals.”
Since last year’s program was canceled because of the pandemic, organizers took time out during the ceremony to congratulate the 10 community service award winners from 2020, including Roderick Linton Belfance Principal Kathryn A. Belfance.
Two Emeriti Awards were also presented to retired pastors Knute Larson (The Chapel) and Ronald J. Fowler (Arlington Church of God) for a Lifetime of Distinguished Service.
Greene said individual donations are key to the continuing success of the scholarship program.
“Every contribution large or small makes a difference,” said Greene.
Anyone interested in making a contribution can contact attorney Charles Greene at attyclgreene@sbcglobal.net or call 330-714-7120.