PPG Foundation Donates $40,000 to University of Akron Polymer Research Mentorship Program

AKRON, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The PPG Foundation today announced a $40,000 grant to the University of
Akron’s (UA) College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering to
support the school’s new polymer research mentorship program.

The donation allows the program to provide support for graduate students
who wish to mentor undergraduate students pursuing UA’s new minor in
polymer science and polymer engineering. Funding will go toward graduate
assistants, undergraduate research students and research expenses. UA
plans to recruit four teams of graduate and undergraduate students to
begin working together in the summer and fall of 2018.

“One of the best ways to learn is by teaching, and in research, this
means mentoring,” said Eric Amis, dean, UA College of Polymer Science
and Polymer Engineering. “PPG’s generous gift will assist selected
student researchers and their doctoral student mentors in this new
program. We are excited to have this opportunity for our Ph.D.
candidates to mentor undergraduate students on projects they design and
conduct.”

The application process will be announced each fall and spring semester
for projects starting in summer, fall or spring, as appropriate. A
committee of faculty in the UA College of Polymer Science and Polymer
Engineering will consider applications and make recommendations.

The teams will present their work as participants in the annual UA
College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering Polymers Appreciation
Day poster session. They also will have the opportunity to visit PPG
research centers to discuss their work and learn more about the company.

About the University of Akron

The University of Akron (UA) is the region’s most influential public
research university, contributing to the resurgence of the local
economy, providing a highly skilled workforce and known for an
innovative approach to higher education. With more than 22,000 students
and 300+ associate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate and law degree
programs, UA offers career-focused and experiential learning. From
polymers and psychology, to engineering and communications, to business
and education, UA brings together distinct fields of study in ways that
provide students with valuable real-world learning opportunities. To
learn more, visit www.uakron.edu.

About the PPG Foundation

PPG and the PPG Foundation aim to bring color and brightness to PPG
communities around the world. We donated nearly $10 million in 2016,
supporting hundreds of community organizations across 25 countries. By
investing in educational opportunities, we help grow today’s skilled
workforce and develop tomorrow’s innovators in fields related to
coatings and manufacturing. Plus, we empower PPG employees to multiply
their impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their
volunteer efforts and charitable giving. Learn more at www.ppgcommunities.com
and follow @PPG_Communities
on Twitter.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints,
coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130
years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’
biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path
forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in
more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $14.3 billion in 2016.
We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and
transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and the PPG
Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

Contacts

PPG
Mark Silvey, 412-434-3046
[email protected]
www.ppg.com
or
Dan
Minnich, 330-972-6476
The University of Akron
[email protected]
www.uakron.edu