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Vivian Celeste Neal, Akron program head, praised for diplomacy
By Betty Lin-Fisher
Beacon Journal business writer
Published on Thursday, Jan 28, 2010
Forty years ago, Vivian Celeste Neal's trip to Akron was to be a short-term visit to help a sibling with a new baby. Instead, the Pennsylvania native stayed, earned a graduate degree from the University of Akron, married and raised two children in her adopted city.
Her most recent job was community liaison and program director developing grants awarded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to Akron and Northeast Ohio.
She has recommended $67 million in grants over seven years for Akron; Lexington, Ky., and Fort Wayne, Ind. In Akron alone, the grants have totaled $57 million.
''I've been able to recommend — and not be turned down once. I've been blessed,'' Neal said.
After seven years with the Knight Foundation, named after the Knight brothers, who started their business careers in Akron, Neal has announced her retirement, effective Feb. 26.
The foundation is searching for a new program director who will focus on Akron.
The city is one of eight to have a program director for the foundation, down from 26 after a restructuring.
But retirement isn't a word Neal knows well. She first retired in 2001 after 36 years with Akron schools, after serving as a teacher, principal and administrator. She then went to the University of Akron for 18 months, where she was assistant to the senior vice president/provost of educational outreach.
An opportunity to serve on the Knight Foundation's local Community Advisory Committee led her to become the first community liaison for Akron in 2002.
Challenges ahead
Neal's replacement will have big shoes to fill, said Rob Briggs, president of the GAR Foundation and chairman-elect of the Knight Foundation Board of Trustees. Briggs, who has been a trustee since 2002, will take over as chairman of the board in March when Dr. W. Gerald Austen retires.
Neal ''has just done a spectacular job,'' Briggs said. ''Vivian is just a unique combination of intelligence, diplomacy, passion for her job and she is very discerning with respect to people. She's also extremely collaborative in her approach. She's been a great leader for us in Akron.''
When Neal came to the foundation, ''she not only brought a lifetime of insight and experience, but a love for Akron, her community,'' said Alberto Ibarguen, president and chief executive of the Knight Foundation. ''She has been a player in Knight's involvement in Team NEO, the University Park Alliance, the Austen BioInnovation Institute, education projects with Akron's school board and superintendent and countless other small and big projects around town. She understands Akron, she loves Akron, she wants Akron to succeed. And her work always showed it.''
Citing accomplishments
Neal said among the Knight-funded projects that make her proudest is the Austen BioInnovation Institute, which the foundation helped jump-start in 2008 with a $20 million grant. Named to honor Austen and his wife, Patricia, the initiative is the region's effort to boost medical research and development, including some collaboration among otherwise competitors.
Neal said Akron is known for its leadership and it was fulfilling to see so many different leaders come together for the project. Twenty-six leaders flew to Miami to talk with the Knight Foundation before the grant was awarded, Neal said.
Neal said that while the institute was a project that had the biggest impact, she's also proud of other projects, including Perkins Activity Central, which was an after-school program at Akron's Perkins Middle School. The foundation invested $6 million over five years to get various programs in the building, such as connecting the first chair violinist from the Akron Symphony with students. The program earned national recognition.
The program recently ended. No funds were available to continue it, which Neal said is disappointing.
Board decision
The Knight Foundation is conducting a national search for Neal's replacement — who might or might not have Northeast Ohio or Akron ties and will be called a director, community programs (application information can be found at http://www.knightfoundation.org). The final decision will be made by foundation management, though Briggs and Jim Crutchfield, former publisher of the Akron Beacon Journal and a trustee since 2004, said the board will probably be asked to offer input.
''It's important that it's somebody who at least will be seen very quickly as a leader in this community,'' he said.
Ibarguen said he's unsure whether the next person will have a direct tie to Akron or Northeast Ohio.
''What I can say is that whoever is chosen will be someone who either loves or I believe will love Akron. Notice I didn't say 'likes.' I want someone who is passionate about the place and its possibilities,'' he said.
Neal said she's not sure whether full retirement is in her future or something else. She does know she wants to spend time with her 96-year-old mother and three grandchildren. She also said she will continue to be a ''cheerleader'' for Akron and volunteer.
''The Lord orders my steps. He always has,'' she said.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at
330-996-3724 or blinfisher@
thebeaconjournal.com.
Forty years ago, Vivian Celeste Neal's trip to Akron was to be a short-term visit to help a sibling with a new baby. Instead, the Pennsylvania native stayed, earned a graduate degree from the University of Akron, married and raised two children in her adopted city.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 08:09 AM, 01/28/2010
Thank you for your service to our city and good luck in retirement.
akron, oh
Posted 10:48 AM, 01/28/2010
Your (BLESSED) by god.
Posted 12:08 PM, 01/28/2010
Vivian and her husband, as well as her nephew and new councilman, Russell Neal, are all quality individuals.
Success
Akron, OH
Posted 12:43 AM, 01/29/2010
Oh NO, not another national search. Is there not some one in Akron who can take Ms Neal's place? I'm certain that nephew Russel would know some one.
rmk/akron
