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Juan, Dr. James K.C. Annual Scholarship

Dr. James K.C. Juan had a great love for education. He dedicated more than 65 years of his life to teaching. Even in his senior years, at age 97, he continued to write to his students, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as his own, inspiring them to be lifelong learners, to exercise spiritual and moral discipline, and to commit to serving their communities through participation and philanthropic giving. In his honor and memory, Dr. Juan’s daughter, Mrs. May Juan Chen, established The Dr. James K.C. Juan Annual Scholarship at The University of Akron, as well as other universities in the United States of America and China. Like her father, Mrs. Chen is a strong proponent of learning and higher education.

Dr. Juan grew up in Guangdong, China. At age 6, he moved to Hong Kong to live and study. Because of his experiences, he learned to be a highly disciplined, spiritual, and responsible person at an early age. His love of learning and writing contributed to his acceptance to a prestigious high school, college, and graduate school. He graduated from China’s renowned Lingnan College, Beijing University, and completed his master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan and his doctoral degree from the Teachers’ College at Columbia University.

Mrs. Chen grew up in Hong Kong and moved to the United States of America at age 10. She attended college at Southern Methodist University and earned her psychology degree at Vanderbilt University. She received a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling in 1988 from The University of Akron. Mrs. Chen is a licensed professional clinical counselor and co-founder and executive director emeritus of ASIA Inc. She has implemented health projects for Asian communities that address issues such as substance abuse, cardiovascular health, sexual abstinence for immigrant adolescents, and programs for the elderly. Mrs. Chen was named a 2008 Purpose Prize Fellow by Civic Ventures. The award recognizes people older than 60 years of age who are making a difference in society. She was also the 2004 recipient of the Organizational Leadership Award from the Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment and Leadership for her tobacco control efforts in the Asian Pacific Islander communities in Ohio and the 2002 Summit County, Ohio, YWCA Woman of the Year. Mrs. Chen is married to Dr. C.F. Chen, a retired University of Akron professor of electrical engineering and entrepreneur. They have three children and seven grandchildren.

The Dr. James K.C. Juan Annual Scholarship is an annual academic scholarship seeking to promote a diverse student body in the College of Education. The Dr. James K.C. Juan Annual Scholarship will support a University of Akron student studying Education. The student must be a legal resident and citizen of the United States of America. In awarding the scholarship, factors to be considered will be financial need, academic performance, geographic origin, diverse experiences, and socioeconomic background. Sources of diversity may include overcoming personal adversity, participation in community service, living abroad, and speaking foreign languages – generally providing a different and diverse perspective to the College. A diverse student body may bring to the University experiences, outlooks, and ideas that enrich the training of its student body and better equip its graduates through increased perspectives, preparation as professionals, and the fostering of civic engagement. For the College of Education, a diverse student body is particularly important since graduates will be teaching students from many different backgrounds. Applicants also will be considered based on an interest or desire to teach or explore Asian-American/Pacific Islander culture in the classroom experience or on a desire to teach internationally. The Dr. James K.C. Juan Annual Scholarship recipient will be selected by the Honors College Scholarship and Awards committee, with approval from the dean of the Honors College and in collaboration with the Office of Student Financial Aid. If a candidate from the Honors College cannot be identified, students from the College of Education will be eligible for consideration of The Dr. K.C. Juan Annual Scholarship.