Ronald & Kenlynn Akin

Ronald Akin (1937-2022) and two of his siblings attended what is now UW Oshkosh. George Jr. attended for two years before transferring to UW-Madison to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics. He went on to become chairperson of the GM Computer Department where he worked with the Apollo Program sending men to the moon. Carolyn earned a degree in elementary education in 1955. Ronald graduated in 1959 with a degree in biology and later earned a master’s degree from Northern Michigan University and a doctorate from Indiana University.

Ronald was very active in college sports, lettering four times in both basketball and track and field. Through his athletic involvement, he met his future wife, Kenlynn, who was a cheerleader for the basketball team. After graduation Ronald first taught and coached in Reedsville and Chilton. He spent the remainder of his professional career at UW Oshkosh (1965-1994), as a professor and chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. He also had very successful coaching career at UWO, winning track and field coach of the year honors, as well as coaching many students to conference and All-American honors. Kenlynn spent her career as an elementary teacher in a variety of schools, including a year as a training teacher at Indiana University’s campus school, eventually retiring from the Omro School District in 1998.

The Akins’ affiliation with UW Oshkosh continues through their children and grandchildren. Their son David earned a degree in biology in 1985, their grandson Zachary earned a degree in criminal justice in 2013 and their grandson, Christian Steinert, earned a BBA in marketing in 2018. Because of their strong affinity for the University and their family’s continued connection, Ronald and Kenlynn established the Dr. Ronald Akin Scholarship in 2016 to support math and computer science students.