Alumni Life

Homecoming 2023: A Weekend of Fun, Reminiscing and Laughter

Crowds showed off their Golden Flash pride at Homecoming on Oct. 21 by taking part in exciting activities as the university celebrated 50 years of global education through this year’s Homecoming theme, It’s a Flash World. Kent State has provided study abroad opportunities for more than 50 years in Florence, Italy, and today its global reach spans six continents.

The festivities started off with a bang Friday night at the Homecoming Kickoff event in downtown Kent. The night featured a pep rally, food, music by the Kent State University Marching Golden Flashes and a spectacular fireworks display.

KSU Homecoming Kickoff — People watch the fireworks at Homecoming Kickoff in downtown Kent. *Photo by Rami Daud*

On Saturday, Main Street came to life as the homecoming parade passed by. Members of the first study abroad cohort to travel to Florence (in 1972), as well as faculty and staff from the Kent State University Florence Center, served as the 2023 Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals, in honor of their important role in Kent State’s global education journey. Ten members of the 1972 study-abroad class and their families, along with Fabrizio Ricciardelli, PhD, director of the Kent State University Florence Center, and Miriam Daquino, student life coordinator and donor outreach manager, celebrated this milestone.

Members of the first class to study in Florence in 1972 serve as 2023 Homecoming Grand Marshals for the homecoming parade. *Photo by Bob Christy, BS '95, MA '22*

The parade also featured floats, Kent State and local high school marching bands, the Homecoming Court, university colleges and departments, Kent State student-athletes and cheerleaders, student organizations, local officials and more.

The parade was livestreamed for those unable to make it back in person and featured chats with President Todd Diacon, Randale L. Richmond, MS ’06, vice president, director of intercollegiate athletics and Fabrizio Ricciardelli, director of Kent State University Florence Center.

The excitement continued as nearly 20 couples who met at Kent State shared a smooch at noon in the center of Risman Plaza for the Annual Kiss on the K event.

A couple smooches at the Kiss on the K event on Risman Plaza. *Photo by Rami Daud*

Later in the day, thousands of fans gathered outside Dix Stadium for the Flash Nation Tailgate featuring food, fun and music from the decades as alumni submitted their favorite college songs through the decades. Several alumni chapters including Lake County, Cleveland and Black Alumni also held tailgates to celebrate before the game.

Alumni gather together at the Flash Nation Tailgate. *Photo courtesy Kent State University Alumni*

Juliana Buonaiuto, a marketing major from Long Island, New York, and Sage Mason, a public relations major from McDonald, Ohio, were announced as 2023 Homecoming Royalty during halftime of Kent State’s homecoming football game at Dix Stadium. Buonaiuto, Student Body President, was sponsored by Undergraduate Student Government and Mason was sponsored by Fraternity and Sorority Life.

Two years of Homecoming Royalty pose together during halftime. Pictured left to right: Quintin Cooks, BA ’23, 2022 Homecoming Royalty; Juliana Buonaiuto, 2023 Homecoming Royalty; President Todd Diacon; Sage Mason, 2023 Homecoming Royalty; Gavin Aitken, BA ’23, 2022 Homecoming Royalty *Photo courtesy Kent State University Alumni*

Alas, at the homecoming football game the University of Buffalo Bulls beat the Kent State University Golden Flashes 24 to 6. But overall, it was an exciting and enthusiastic return to Kent State!