Achieving Dreams

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Honorary Chairperson

Dr. Brian Harte, President, Cleveland Clinic Akron General

Honorees

Event Chairperson: Fedearia Nicholson-Sweval

New Format: This year's festive Gala will include a reception, sit-down dinner, dessert station, auction, awards, entertainment, dancing, a great deal of fun, and networking opportunities.

The Gala will begin at 5:30 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. for mobile auction registration and guest registration.

To purchase tickets or sponsorships click HERE or contact Project GRAD Akron at 330-761-3113, email info@projectgradakron.org, or stop by our office at 400 W. Market St. Akron, OH 44303.

For information about sponsorships, tickets, or advertisements, please view the forms below.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Ads, Tickets, & Sponsorship Forms

View 12th Annual ADC Gala Image Gallery

View Program Souvenir Book

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2017 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 11th Annual

When: Thursday, October 5, 2017

Where: Greystone Hall, 103 S. High Street (downtown) Akron, OH 44308

Event Chairpersons: Fedearia Nicholson-Sweval, Dean of Student Success at Stark State College and Stephanie York, Esq., Vice President at Hennes Communications.

Format: The celebration includes a 5 pm reception for honorees, sponsors, & VIP patrons; at 5:30 pm, all guests will be able to move throughout the venue and enjoy delicious food stations and participate in the auctions and raffles; and at 7:00 pm, we will gather in the ballroom for the awards program and the conclusion of the evening.

For information about sponsorships, tickets, or advertisements, please contact Project GRAD Akron at 330-761-3113 or email info@projectgradakron.org.

2016 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 10th Annual

When: Thursday, October 6, 2016

Where: Greystone Hall, 103 S. High Street (downtown) Akron, OH 44308

Event Chairpersons: S. Theresa Carter & Jacqueline Silas-Butler

New format:

We will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a private reception for honorees, sponsors, and other VIP patrons.

At 6:00 p.m., all guests will be able to move throughout the venue and enjoy delicious food stations, participate in the auction and raffles, and enjoy the entertainment in the various rooms.

At 7:15 p.m., we will gather in the ballroom for the awards program and the conclusion of the evening.

For information about sponsorships, tickets, or advertisements, please contact Project GRAD Akron at 330-761-3113 or email info@projectgradakron.org.

2015 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 9th Annual

When: Thursday, October 1, 2015

Where: St. George's Fellowship Hall, 3204 Ridgewood Road, Akron, OH 44333

Event Chairpersons: Traci Buckner, Katerina Pappas, Esq., and Mona Sarkar, Esq.

2014 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 8th Annual

When: Thursday, October 2, 2014

Where: St. George's Fellowship Hall
3204 Ridgewood Road • Akron, OH 44333

Event Chairpersons: Judi Hill and Stephanie "Stevie" Turner

Download Buchtel Alumni Nomination Form

2014 Community Service Honorees

Bishop F. Josephus "Joey" Johnson II and Pastor Cathy L. Johnson and The House of the Lord

2014 Honorees - Buchtel Alumni

Thomas DeBord
Howard Hewett
Stacey Hodoh
Kelley Coleman Walton

Event Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Together, we are making a difference in our Communities. The difference speaks volumes about who we are, what we value, and the real legacy we want to leave for the next generation. At OMNOVA Solutions that's how we feel about community involvement, and it's part of the fabric of the way we do business. Our gifts of money, time, talents help demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the communities where we work and live.

Scholar Sponsor

Achiever Sponsors

Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation of Akron, Ohio
Kent State University

Mentor Sponsors

Akron General Health System
Buckeye Community Health Plan
Dianne & Herbert Newman
State and Federal Communications, Inc.
Summa Health System
Walmart

Media Sponsor

•Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com

Project GRAD Akron's Achieving Dreams Celebrations - Past Events, Speakers, and Honorees

2013 Achieving Dreams Celebration – 7th Annual

Date: Thursday, October 3, 2013

Location: St. George’s Family Center, 3204 Ridgewood Road, Akron, OH

Event Chairpersons: Roxia Boykin & Iris Harvey

Community Service Honorees

Bob Kulinksi
Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home - William Calhoun

Buchtel Alumni Awards

Young Alumni Award
- Shayla L. Brown
Distinguished Service to Humanity Award
- Pamela Hamilton-Stubbs, MD
- Leon Harris
Lifetime Achievement Award
- The Honorable Tom Sawyer

Memorial Award
- Barbara Dirden Mathews

2012 Achieving Dreams Celebration – 6th Annual

Date: Thursday, November 1, 2012

Location: St. George’s Family Center, 3204 Ridgewood Road, Akron, OH

Event Chairpersons: Iris Harvey & Bernett L. Williams

Honorary Chairpersons: Attorneys Dianne and Herbert Newman

Honorees: Celebrating Buchtel Alumni

Memorial - Stanley M. Bober, CPA
Community Service - Magistrate Sharon Hairston Dennis
Young Alumni – Brittany Grimes Zaehringer, Esq.
Distinguished Service to Humanity

John Saros, Esq.
Marilyn Sanders Mobley, Ph.D

Lifetime Achievement

Dr. Robert Stone & Mrs. Rochelle Dienoff Stone

2011 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 5th Annual

Date: October 27, 2011

Location: Quaker Station

Event Chairpersons: Judi Bevly Hill & Margaret E. Williams

Honorary Chairperson: Eileen Burg

Honorees

Community Service Honoree

• Tuesday Musical Association - Barbara Feld, Executive Director

Distinguished Service to Humanity - Buchtel Alumni

• Gregory Hill, DO

• Kymberly "Kym" Alford Sellers

• Victoria Turner-King

Young Alumni Honoree - Buchtel Alumni

• Brandon Ford, RN, Esq.

Lifetime Achievement Honorees - Buchtel Alumni

• Melodie Morgan-Minott, MD

• Dianne Rubin Newman

• Herbert Newman, Esq.

• Judy Licklider Read & Roger Read

2010 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 4th Annual

Date: October 28, 2010

Location: Quaker Station

Event Chairpersons: Judi Bevly Hill & Margaret E. Williams

Honorary Chairperson: Eileen Burg

Honorees - Celebrating Buchtel Alumni

Distinguished Service to Humanity

• Betty Dalton

• Fred Gissendaner

• Gail C. Walker

Young Alumni Honoree

• Raynese Scott Fikes, DDS

Lifetime Achievement

• Nicholas T. George, Esq.

• Judge Carla D. Moore

• Edwin L. Parms, Esq.

2009 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 3rd Annual

Date: October 22, 2009

Location: Quaker Station

Event Chairperson: Debra Adams Simmons

Keynote Speaker: Dr. David L. Burnham (Buchtel graduate)

Honorees - Partnering to Achieve the Dream - Celebrating our Partners

Kent State University's Top Honoree

• Scott Curfman

The University of Akron's Top Honoree

• Dr. Deborah Owens-Fink

Additional persons were recognized from various departments at both universities.

2008 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 2nd Annual

Date: October 3, 2008

Location: Quaker Station

Event Chairperson: Jacqueline Silas-Butler

Honorary Chairpersons: Robert W. Briggs & Vivian Celeste Neal

Keynote Speaker: Glynis Wheeler Redwine, Esq. (Buchtel graduate)

Honorees

Project GRAD Akron Educator of the Year

• Dreama Mason

Project GRAD Akron Parent of the Year

• Pamela LeGrair

Project GRAD Akron Volunteers of the Year

• Deborah Cunningham

• Buchtel High School PTA - Diana Autry, President

2007 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 1st Annual

Date: October 24, 2007

Location: Tangier

Event Chairperson: S. Theresa Carter

Honorary Chairpersons: Dr. Luis Proenza & Dr. Sylvester Small

Keynote Speaker: Leon Harris (Buchtel graduate)

Honorees

Project GRAD Akron Educator of the Year

• Johnnette Snowden Curry

Project GRAD Akron Parent of the Year

• Russel C. Neal, Jr.

Project GRAD Akron Volunteers of the Year

• James E. Toles and Susan Vogelsang

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