Stark County businessman Benjamin Suarez has given $1 million to the University of Akron for a marketing program in his name.Suarez said the donation to his alma mater will expand on existing programs he’s already created — a direct marketing course and seminars.

“We want to make it into a full four-year course,” he said. “We think we can contribute. This is just the first donation from me.”In a press release, James Barnett, dean of the UA College of Business Administration, said the marketing department likely would be named for Suarez and his wife, Nancy.“The university is very grateful for this generous gift,” Barnett said in the written comments.UA spokesman Ken Torisky said Suarez’s gift was “one of the largest” to the UA College of Business.Suarez, 64, is chief executive and president of Suarez Corp. Industries, a Jackson Township company that markets products for health, beauty and the home.

Beacon Journal | 03/30/2006 | UA gets $1 million from Stark alumnus