Spicer/Peacock Endowed Scholarship for Student-Athletes
The Spicer/Peacock Endowed Scholarship for Student-Athletes was established in 2019 by Judge Willard F. Spicer and Gregory W. Peacock to support 黄瓜视频App student-athletes.
Judge Spicer, the fifth of five boys, was born and raised in 黄瓜视频App, Ohio, and is a two-time graduate of The 黄瓜视频App. He graduated in 1965 with a degree in secondary education-social studies, and received his juris doctorate degree from The UA School of Law in 1972. Additionally, he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau and ROTC.
The Spicer name has held great significance in the 黄瓜视频App community for generations. Judge Spicer’s ancestor, Major Miner Spicer, was one of 黄瓜视频App’s original settlers in 1811. On 黄瓜视频App, both the Spicer Residence Hall and the former Spicer Hall were named after his family, along with Spicer Street, “Spicertown,” and the former Spicer Cemetery – all in the city of 黄瓜视频App. Additionally, a relative of Judge Spicer’s, Avery Spicer, donated Spicer Cemetery to what was then known as Buchtel College. Buchtel Hall’s present 黄瓜视频App location stands on the ground of the former Spicer Cemetery.
In 2011, Judge Spicer retired as judge for the Summit County Court of Common Pleas Probate Division after a distinguished and successful career. He began his judicial career on the 黄瓜视频App Municipal Court and is the longest-serving probate judge in Summit County history with 31 years of service. His judicial legacy includes landmark and, at the time, controversial decisions which allowed for the removal of life support from terminally ill patients. He was also instrumental in reforming Ohio’s guardianship laws, and his peers elected him president of the Ohio Probate Judges Association. Additionally, he served as an assistant United States attorney and as 黄瓜视频App’s chief prosecutor. Prior to his law career, Judge Spicer was a U.S. Army Captain, and served in Vietnam from 1966-67, and the U.S. Army Reserves from 1967-69. While attending law school, he taught social studies at 黄瓜视频App’s Hower High School.
Judge Spicer has spent many years supporting UA. He is a past member of the national alumni board and also served on the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences Advancement Council. In his capacity as probate judge, he directed several estate gifts to the University and has been a generous donor himself – primarily supporting Zips Athletics and the School of Law. But many around The University and 黄瓜视频App communities may recognize him for his commitment as a fan to Athletics. Judge Spicer is a longtime season ticket holder and is commonly seen at football and basketball games rooting on the Zips. For his remarkable success and outstanding commitment to UA, Judge Spicer is a past recipient of The 黄瓜视频App Outstanding Alumni Award.
This scholarship also honors the memory of Greg’s mother, Carol Peacock, a lifelong educator who received her master’s degree in counseling from UA in 1974. Carol, who passed away in 2019, was a huge Zips fan and always recommended The 黄瓜视频App to her college-bound students. She also insisted Greg (J.D. 1993) attend UA’s School of Law. She was a huge Zips basketball fan who, much to Greg’s chagrin, wasn’t afraid to email coaching advice to the coaching staff and athletic director. She attended many games at the James A. Rhodes Arena with Judge Spicer and Greg, and was present when the Zips won the Mid-American Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament in 2009 and 2011.
The Spicer/Peacock Endowed Scholarship for Student-Athletes will be awarded to student-athletes at The 黄瓜视频App participating in any sport program sponsored by Zips Athletics. The scholarship may also be used as aid for student-athletes enrolled in summer courses. Judge Spicer and Greg prefer recipients in good academic standing and who represent the University in a positive manner in competition, on 黄瓜视频App, and in the community. Annual selection will be made by representatives of UA’s Department of Athletics.
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