¹ú²úÂ×Àí

Snyder, Samuel T. Memorial Scholarship

The Samuel T. Snyder Memorial Scholarship was established in 2024 by Sam's parents, Brandon and Beth Snyder, and brother, Nate Snyder, in memory of Sam, to honor his legacy and provide hope to deserving students. Sam was a remarkably bright individual with an exceptional work ethic, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Following his graduation, Sam secured a position as a Transmission Line Design Engineer at FirstEnergy Corporation.

Born on April 3, 1994, Samuel Taylor Snyder passed away on September 24, 2022. Described as kind­hearted, passionate, and loving, Sam possessed a beautiful soul. He was renowned for his generosity, always willing to assist anyone in need. A natural athlete, Sam enjoyed running and completed two marathons. He was registered to run his third marathon on the day of his passing, but a foot injury derailed his training. Sam cherished spending time outdoors, particularly in the serene landscapes of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Metro Parks, and the Richfield Heritage Preserve (formerly Crowell Hilaka), as well as various parks nationwide. Apart from running, his hobbies included hiking, camping, biking, tennis, and playing Euchre.

The Samuel T. Snyder Memorial Scholarship embodies the enduring spirit of hope that Sam championed throughout his life. Despite his struggles with depression, Sam's profound insights shed light on the transformative power of hope in the face of adversity. In a paper he submitted in his English Composition course Sam wrote, "It is difficult to talk about depression without defining hope. I believe depression is the delusion of the absence of hope. Defining such an abstract word as hope can be difficult and if I asked one hundred people what their definition was, I would most likely receive one hundred different answers."

Sam understood hope as more than wishful thinking - it was an internal desire for positive change. He remarked, "Hope is not just wishful thinking with no belief in oneself or one's capabilities. It is a real desire for some change to take place. It is our individual responsibility to accomplish our hopes, and to determine how much time and effort our hopes are worth." Even amidst personal challenges and societal pressures, Sam recognized the intrinsic value of maintaining hope.

Through The Samuel T. Snyder Memorial Scholarship, we aim to cultivate hope in future generations. Sam's legacy serves as a beacon of light for students facing their own struggles, reminding them that hope is a powerful force for resilience and perseverance. As Sam eloquently concluded, "I have found in my own life that taking the more difficult path always leads to greater reward." With this scholarship, Sam's family endeavors to inspire students to embrace hope, overcome obstacles, and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.

The Samuel T. Snyder Memorial Scholarship is meant to assist promising sophomore, junior and senior students who are pursuing engineering degrees at The University of Akron. Applications for the scholarship will be accepted from current students who have completed the first year in pursuit of an engineering degree. Preference will be given to students pursuing a degree in civil engineering and are from Ohio.

Recipients of The Samuel T. Snyder Memorial Scholarship shall be selected ¹ú²úÂ×Àí Scholarship Committee in the Office of Student Financial Aid and will be based on the applicant's financial need and the completed student application. Recipients may use the award for tuition, fees, books, meal plans and/or on-campus housing. The number of recipients and scholarship amounts will be determined as funds are available. Funds used for purposes other than qualified educational expenses are reportable and may be taxable to the recipient.

To make a tax-deductible gift to this scholarship, please visit ¹ú²úÂ×Àí’s . Select “A different designation” from the drop-down menu and enter “Samuel Snyder Scholarship” in the text box. Thank you!