Here are quotes from The University of Akron website:
"Companies such as Goodyear, Firestone and Goodrich were headquartered in Akron, so it was only natural that the world’s first courses in rubber chemistry would be offered at Buchtel College." (now known as The University of Akron)
"In 1959 The University’s first doctoral degree is awarded, in
polymer science. In so doing, Akron becomes the fifth Ohio university to offer doctoral work, following Ohio State, Western Reserve, Case and Cincinnati."
"In 1988, the University established the world’s first College
of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering — now the largest academic program of its kind in the world."
Here are a few more rankings....
http://www.uakron.edu/president/resrc/nat_rankB.php
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