Jim and Vanita Oelschlager

Jim and Vanita Oelschlager have been treasured supporters of The University of Akron for two decades.

In addition to supporting the Oelschlager Leadership Awards and its four scholarships and the Oelschlager Summer Leadership Institute, the couple also are funding an exciting new educational project - the Jim and Vanita Oelschlager Native American Collection. The Oelschlager Collection is a unique compilation of approximately 800 Native American-made items, including tools, blankets, baskets and ceremonial objects; Edward Curtis books and prints, western bronzes; and mixture of 20th century popular culture materials. The wide geographical range of these  artifacts exemplifies the diversity of Native American cultures and of early Americana.

These rare items will provide The University of Akron's Department of Anthropology and Classical Studies and UA's Mary S. Myers School of Art students with an invaluable learning experience as they work within the collection. In this way, the collection will immediately realize its great scholarly potential by facilitating student learning and expediting faculty and student research.