DONOR SPOTLIGHT: THE BERRY FAMILY

The Berry Family and UA Celebrate 70 Years of Zippy

Zippy celebrated her 70th birthday with her fellow Zips on May 1, 2023 in the Jean Hower Taber Student Union. Zippy enjoyed birthday cupcakes, balloons, and photo opportunities with students, faculty, and staff, who signed a birthday card for Zippy.

On May 1, 2023, Akron's own "Zippy" mascot turned 70 years old. Zippy celebrated her milestone birthday with cupcakes, balloons, and photos with students, faculty and staff in the Jean Hower Taber Student Union.

Beloved by The University of Akron, and the Akron community at large, Zippy symbolizes the spirit of the campus and its national and international alumni base. For the last 70 years, students have portrayed this lovable character at campus events and throughout the community, lifting spirits and creating a sense of belonging among the University and its hometown. Continued student participation in the Zippy program is supported by the generosity of donors like the Berry family and The James R. and Phyllis C. Berry "Zippy" Endowed Scholarship.

The James R. and Phyllis C. Berry "Zippy" Endowed Scholarship was established in 2018 by James (Jim) W. Berry and Thomas (Tom) M. Berry to honor the legacy of their parents, James R. and Phyllis C. Berry. Mr. and Mrs. Berry were lifelong Akron area residents, and active Zips fans throughout their lives. Their son, Tom, said "if anyone embodies the motto 'Forever A Zip,' it is them."

Both Mr. and Mrs. Berry were 1939 UA graduates. As a student, Mr. Berry was active in campus activities and held many offices in student organizations - including president of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honorary, a member of Phi Sigma Alpha Honorary, president of Theta Chi Fraternity, and Commanding Officer of the 550-man ROTC Regiment - in addition to participating in athletics as a member of the track and basketball teams as well as in music programs as a member of the Glee Club, the University Singers, and the Buchtel Singers. Mrs. Berry worked during her time enrolled at UA selling tickets in the box office of Loew's Theatre (now Akron Civic Theatre) but was also a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was selected as an Honorary Cadet Colonel of the ROTC Regiment.

After Mr. Berry's service in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, where he reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, the couple settled in Akron to raise their family. Mr. Berry began his career with B.F. Goodrich as a market research analyst and returned to UA to teach Business Policy as a senior seminar class. He then joined Acme Stores as a controller, later becoming vice president and treasurer. During his time with Acme, Mr. Berry was an integral part of the annual Acme-Zips football games, helping to fill the bowl with record crowds for nearly 25 years. Mrs. Berry taught 3rd and 4th grade in the Mantua, Ohio, school system for two years before raising her family. Despite their busy schedules, Jim and Tom Berry remember that their parents "volunteered at least five hours a week…for 40 years. If you do the math, that's over 10,000 hours apiece." Many of those hours were spent at UA, where Mr. Berry became president of The University of Akron National Alumni Board and Mrs. Berry joined the UA Women's Committee in 1964, remaining a member for the duration of her lifetime.

James and Phyllis Berry on the steps of the library at The University of Akron on Nov. 2, 1938. The Berrys met at UA and were both 1939 graduates of the University.

The Berrys' sense of service profoundly affected their children. In remembering his parents' philanthropic spirit, Jim Berry said, "Mom was just a giver." Similarly, Jim remembers a time when his father was once asked about what he would do with the wealth generated from his successful career, and his father had a short and simple answer: "give it away." It is this spirit of philanthropy that influenced Jim and Tom to continue that legacy at The University of Akron.

While the "Berry Brothers" knew that they wanted to give back to the University, they were initially unsure how to direct their support. Mr. Berry was always an avid Zips athletics fan and attended many of the school's sporting events during his lifetime. Jim and Tom had fond memories of going to football and basketball games with their dad as children. However, it was Mrs. Berry who ultimately provided the inspiration for their gift.

Tom remembered his mother's stuffed Zippy toy that remained with her until her final days and now sits in his office. It was this toy that prompted the sons to reach out to find out more about contributing to a scholarship fund for Zippy. Tom was amazed to learn there was no such scholarship, nor any such scholarship for any mascot in the Mid-American Conference. And so, The James R. and Phyllis C. Berry "Zippy" Endowed Scholarship was born in 2018. At the time, Mrs. Berry was 102.

It is a unique scholarship for the unique mascot that it supports. According to the brothers, "The words that best describe Zippy are Loving, Kind, Genuine, Caring, Pure of Heart, and Fun - not exactly what you think about when describing most college mascots." While most mascots evoke fear and intimidation, Zippy is an endearing character, which is part of what makes her so beloved. Zippy is "smiley," said Jim. She has kind eyes and a playful character. "Who wouldn't want to hug such a delightful character?" the brothers questioned in a letter to Zippy.

A favorite Zippy memory for Tom came after a National Championship Soccer game where, sadly, the Zips were defeated after overtime play. "There was a picture of Zippy with her arm around an Akron player…and it was just so touching," Tom shared. The bond and sense of community illustrated in that picture is the type of impact that the Berry Family wants to support with this scholarship.

Phyllis Berry surrounded by students and Zippy. At right is her daughter-in-law, Karen Berry, also an Akron alumna.

The James R. and Phyllis C. Berry "Zippy" Endowed Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who "participate in the Zippy program and demonstrate outstanding personal characteristics coupled with a deep commitment to school spirit." Ultimately, the Berry Brothers hope that the students who bring Zippy to life will seize this opportunity to make the campus, and the city, a better place to live, study, and work. "[Mr. and Mrs. Berry] leave behind a legacy that teaches many life lessons," said the Berry brothers, "but the most important one is this: If you give back more than you take out of life, you will make the world a better place. It is our sincere wish that the Zippy Scholarship will help do just that for our old hometown."

Though the scholarship fund was created and funded in 2018 by Jim and Tom, other members of the Berry Family have been key to the success of the scholarship fund as well. In 2021, after Mrs. Berry's passing (at age 104), family members and loved ones made memorial gifts to the fund in honor of Mrs. Berry's life as an active Zip. The fund is further supported by a generous estate gift from Tom and Karen Berry in hopes of continuing the legacies of Zippy and Mr. and Mrs. Berry for future generations.

"The University of Akron is the heart of the city," wrote the Berry brothers in their letter to Zippy, "and you, Zippy, are the heartbeat of the campus." Please join The University of Akron and the Berry family in celebrating 70 years of Zippy and wishing her many more years to come.

You can help support the future of the Zippy program by giving online today and designating your gift to The James R. and Phyllis C. Berry "Zippy" Endowed Scholarship.