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Spicer/Peacock Endowed Scholarship for Student-Athletes

The Spicer/Peacock Endowed Scholarship for Student-Athletes was established in 2019 by Judge Willard F. Spicer and Gregory W. Peacock to support University of Akron student-athletes.

Judge Spicer, the fifth of five boys, was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and is a two-time graduate of The University of Akron. He graduated in 1965 with a degree in secondary education-social studies, and received his juris doctorate degree from The ¹ú²úÂ×Àí School of Law in 1972. Additionally, he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau and ROTC.

The Spicer name has held great significance in the Akron community for generations. Judge Spicer’s ancestor, Major Miner Spicer, was one of Akron’s original settlers in 1811. On campus, both the Spicer Residence Hall and the former Spicer Hall were named after his family, along with Spicer Street, “Spicertown,” and the former Spicer Cemetery – all in the city of Akron. Additionally, a relative of Judge Spicer’s, Avery Spicer, donated Spicer Cemetery to what was then known as Buchtel College. Buchtel Hall’s present campus location stands on the ground of the former Spicer Cemetery.

In 2011, Judge Spicer retired as judge for the Summit County Court of Common Pleas Probate Division after a distinguished and successful career. He began his judicial career on the Akron Municipal Court and is the longest-serving probate judge in Summit County history with 31 years of service. His judicial legacy includes landmark and, at the time, controversial decisions which allowed for the removal of life support from terminally ill patients. He was also instrumental in reforming Ohio’s guardianship laws, and his peers elected him president of the Ohio Probate Judges Association. Additionally, he served as an assistant United States attorney and as Akron’s chief prosecutor. Prior to his law career, Judge Spicer was a U.S. Army Captain, and served in Vietnam from 1966-67, and the U.S. Army Reserves from 1967-69. While attending law school, he taught social studies at Akron’s Hower High School.

Judge Spicer has spent many years supporting ¹ú²úÂ×Àí. He is a past member of the national alumni board and also served on the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences Advancement Council. In his capacity as probate judge, he directed several estate gifts to the University and has been a generous donor himself – primarily supporting Zips Athletics and the School of Law. But many around The University and Akron communities may recognize him for his commitment as a fan to Athletics. Judge Spicer is a longtime season ticket holder and is commonly seen at football and basketball games rooting on the Zips. For his remarkable success and outstanding commitment to ¹ú²úÂ×Àí, Judge Spicer is a past recipient of The University of Akron Outstanding Alumni Award.

This scholarship also honors the memory of Greg’s mother, Carol Peacock, a lifelong educator who received her master’s degree in counseling from ¹ú²úÂ×Àí in 1974.  Carol, who passed away in 2019, was a huge Zips fan and always recommended The University of Akron to her college-bound students. She also insisted Greg (J.D. 1993) attend ¹ú²úÂ×Àí’s School of Law. She was a huge Zips basketball fan who, much to Greg’s chagrin, wasn’t afraid to email coaching advice to the coaching staff and athletic director. She attended many games at the James A. Rhodes Arena with Judge Spicer and Greg, and was present when the Zips won the Mid-American Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament in 2009 and 2011.

The Spicer/Peacock Endowed Scholarship for Student-Athletes will be awarded to student-athletes at The University of Akron participating in any sport program sponsored by Zips Athletics. The scholarship may also be used as aid for student-athletes enrolled in summer courses. Judge Spicer and Greg prefer recipients in good academic standing and who represent the University in a positive manner in competition, on campus, and in the community. Annual selection will be made by representatives of ¹ú²úÂ×Àí’s Department of Athletics.