Sarkar, Mona Endowed Scholarship in Accounting
The Mona Sarkar Endowed Scholarship in Accounting was established in November 2012 by Ms. Mona Sarkar in honor of her beloved father, Sunil Baran Sarkar, who was a very successful polymer engineer known for his philanthropic spirit and his dedication to lifelong learning. This endowed fund will support nontraditional students for their hard work and sacrifices while pursuing a degree at The University of Akron George W. Daverio School of Accountancy.
Sunil Baran Sarkar was born in Dhaka, India, on May 12, 1936. He graduated from Jadavpore University in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. In 1967, he and his wife, Geeta, immigrated to Toronto, Canada. Sunil began taking night classes and earned a master’s degree in polymer science from The University of Akron while working during the day. He retired from Firestone Polymers in 2008 after a 39-year career during which he earned four patents for his work as a senior research engineer. His co-workers described him as a man who “never faced a problem he could not solve.” Mr. Sarkar passed away on May 12, 2010. His legacy will continue at The University of Akron.
Ms. Mona Sarkar is team leader and vice president for Wealth Management Services and the Charitable Advisory Group at FirstMerit Bank, N.A. Ms. Sarkar has more than 11 years of experience as a tax attorney and as a legal researcher. She has worked extensively with high-net worth clients and businesses. She began her career with the international public accounting firm of Ernst and Young, LLP, as a tax consultant. Mona also worked as a tax attorney, primarily in the areas of estate planning, retirement planning, and tax planning; and she specialized in legal research, legal writing, and marketing at LexisNexis.
In 1991, Mona earned her bachelor of science degree in accounting, and she received her juris doctorate and master of taxation in 1994 from The University of Akron.
Ms. Sarkar is a 2013 recipient of the Dr. Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Award and graduate of Leadership Akron Class XXVIII, where she served in a leadership role as the class president. She also serves as the secretary on the Summa Foundation Executive Board, The University of Akron Gift and Estate Planning Board, The George W. Daverio School of Accountancy Advisory Board, The Child Guidance and Family Solutions Board, the United Way Women’s Leadership Board, and is an active member of St. Hilary School. Mona is the mother of three children, Tyler, Alexis, and Nicholas.
Ms. Sarkar’s desire is to assist nontraditional students who are enduring hardships and dedicated to completing their educational goals and rising above adversity. Applicants must be pursuing an accounting degree at The University of Akron. Preference is given to a nontraditional student in financial need. Applicants must maintain a 3.0 GPA for renewal of the award. The George W. Daverio School of Accountancy Scholarship Committee, led by the chair of the school, will select the recipient.