University of Akron, Public research university in Akron, United States.
The University of Akron is a public research institution in Akron, Ohio, bringing together multiple colleges and research centers on a connected campus. The grounds hold lecture halls, libraries, residence halls, and athletic facilities linked by walkways and green spaces.
The institution began in 1870 as Buchtel College, a private school, and shifted to city ownership in 1913. The transformation into a state university took place in 1967, when it joined the public higher education system of Ohio.
The campus is known as Zip City, named after Zippy the kangaroo mascot chosen by students in the early seventies. Visitors see the blue and gold school colors displayed across buildings and at athletic events, where alumni and students sing the fight song Hail to Akron.
The campus sits near downtown Akron and is reachable on foot, by bicycle, or through public transit. Parking areas are available in several zones, and most pathways are level enough for wheelchairs or strollers.
The College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering is considered one of the oldest of its kind worldwide and has drawn professionals from the rubber industry for decades. Today the center conducts research on plastics and composite materials used in fields from medicine to aviation.
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