THE PAUL FRANKLIN IMMIGRANT HERITAGE SCHOLARSHIP
Established by Chuck & Karen Walder for Kent State University at Geauga in 2015
HISTORY:
We believe everyone has a person or persons in their lives who have helped to make them who they are. Karen’s
father, Franklin Hrabak, and the “three Pauls” – Chuck’s grandfather Paul Slanina, his Uncle Fr. Paul Slanina and
brother Paul Walder - were such people.
Born in modest circumstances in the multi ethnic neighborhood of Fleet Avenue in Cleveland in the 20s, Franklin
Hrabak was the first member of his family to graduate from college. A renaissance man, Franklin Hrabak held a
degree in physics and worked in a technical field, but also played piano, sang in a choir and took up painting late in
life. His gift was a relentlessly positive attitude, a creative imagination and a genuine welcoming of others in both
the physical sense, and especially their ideas.
Grandfather Paul Slanina came to this country as a young man with a 3rd grade education & a determination to not
only work for success here, but to pay forward the debt he felt he owed this country. Where a need existed, he
found a way to fill it, resulting in the founding of a Bank, the Slovak club in Lorain, OH, numerous homes he built
which still stand today, land which he donated to establish a Catholic High School, and making sure each of his
three children graduated from college. He defined the term “life-long learning” and his example continues to
inspire us.
This scholarship, named in their honor, was established to recognize the unsung heroes who influence who we are.
As young adults, you may not know them well, or know much about their story - but we encourage you to FIND
OUT. A perspective of who or where you are today can be traced back to what they did then. We hope this
scholarship application process will spur you to seek them out. To ask questions. To learn their story. And then
share their story with us.
And throughout your studies at Kent State, we hope that knowing about the struggles they faced will continue to
challenge & inspire you.
Franklin Hrabak
Paul Slanina
*Please see reverse side for scholarship application and selection criteria*
SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS:
The Paul Franklin Immigrant Heritage Scholarship was created to provide the equivalent of full tuition based on the current
and applicable tuition at Kent State University at Geauga for a period of one academic year (Fall and Spring semester).
Recipients can re-apply each additional year for consideration. All guidelines and criteria for application will apply.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
1. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
2. Applicant must be registered to attend either the Kent State Geauga Campus, Regional Academic Center, or Kent
Campus
3. Any major, but a STEM focus will receive preference
4. Applicant is required to submit an original work (essay, video, poem, play, artwork, etc.) that is based on the subject –
“How my ancestor (name) influenced who I am today.”
Submit your completed application and original work by June 1, 2016 to the Financial Aid Office via email at
GeaugaFinAid@kent.edu
__________________________ ________ __________________________ _________________________
First Name
MI
Last Name
Kent State I.D. Number
(9 digits long starting with 8)
__________________________________
Permanent Street Address
_____________ __________ __________ ___________
City
State
Zip Code
County
___________________________ __________________________ ______________________________
Kent Email Address
Home Phone
Cell Phone
(area code & number)
(area code & number)
___________________________ ___________________________
Class Standing
GPA
By my signature, I attest to the fact that all information on this application is complete and correct and any omission or
falsification will result in Kent State University revoking my award and billing me for any balance due. I also understand this
award is a financial aid award and could affect other types of aid and that scholarships are dependent on funding availability. I
understand that this scholarship will be equally divided between the fall and spring semesters. I agree that my personal
information (include grades, address, etc.) can be released to both the scholarship committee and, if selected as the recipient of
this award, to the donor who has funded this scholarship.
Signature _____________________________________________ Date_____________________________
14111 Claridon Troy Road, Burton, OH 44021
440-834-4187