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<p>Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton accepts a resolution recognizing Kent State's centennial anniversary from the Ohio House of Representatives.</p>

Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton accepts a resolution recognizing Kent State's centennial anniversary from the Ohio House of Representatives.

<p>(left to right) Senior Associate Vice President for University Relations Justin Hilton, Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen, Trustee Jane Murphy Timken, Linda Lefton and President Lester A. Lefton attend the centennial celebration luncheon in Columbus.</p>

(left to right) Senior Associate Vice President for University Relations Justin Hilton, Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen, Trustee Jane Murphy Timken, Linda Lefton and President Lester A. Lefton attend the centennial celebration luncheon in Columbus.

<p>Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton and Bowling Green State University President Carol A. Cartwright attend a luncheon in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium to mark the 100<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Lowry Bill being signed into law. On May 19, 1910, the Lowry Bill created Kent State and BGSU.</p>

Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton and Bowling Green State University President Carol A. Cartwright attend a luncheon in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium to mark the 100th anniversary of the Lowry Bill being signed into law. On May 19, 1910, the Lowry Bill created Kent State and BGSU.

<p>From the floor of the Ohio Senate, Sen. Tom Sawyer presents a resolution to Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton honoring the university's centennial.</p>

From the floor of the Ohio Senate, Sen. Tom Sawyer presents a resolution to Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton honoring the university's centennial.

<p>Ohio Board of Regents Vice Chancellor John Brighton speaks during the Kent State University/Bowling Green State University centennial event in Columbus.</p>

Ohio Board of Regents Vice Chancellor John Brighton speaks during the Kent State University/Bowling Green State University centennial event in Columbus.

  • <p>Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton accepts a resolution recognizing Kent State's centennial anniversary from the Ohio House of Representatives.</p>
  • <p>(left to right) Senior Associate Vice President for University Relations Justin Hilton, Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen, Trustee Jane Murphy Timken, Linda Lefton and President Lester A. Lefton attend the centennial celebration luncheon in Columbus.</p>
  • <p>Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton and Bowling Green State University President Carol A. Cartwright attend a luncheon in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium to mark the 100<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Lowry Bill being signed into law. On May 19, 1910, the Lowry Bill created Kent State and BGSU.</p>
  • <p>From the floor of the Ohio Senate, Sen. Tom Sawyer presents a resolution to Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton honoring the university's centennial.</p>
  • <p>Ohio Board of Regents Vice Chancellor John Brighton speaks during the Kent State University/Bowling Green State University centennial event in Columbus.</p>

Special Centennial
Celebration in Columbus

Emily Vincent
This is a landmark year in the history of Kent State University and Bowling Green State University. One hundred years ago on May 19, 1910, the Lowry Bill was passed, creating two new teachers’ colleges in northern Ohio.

Both schools were honored during a luncheon and special program on May 19, 2010, at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium in Columbus.

“Today, we celebrate Kent State, BGSU and 100 years of contributions that our two institutions have had and will continue to have – for our students and their families, for our communities and the entire state of Ohio, said Kent State President Lester A. Lefton. “Kent State and BGSU have served as vital resources to Ohio for the past 100 years, having a tremendous impact on our lives and our economy. For example, Kent State and the productivity of its graduates in the workforce produce nearly $2 billion in added income to Northeast Ohio.”

Since those early days, both schools have made significant changes. Kent State is Northeast Ohio’s leading public research university and the third largest university system in Ohio with eight campuses and more than 38,000 students. Kent State has produced 196,000 graduates, with 68 percent of living alumni residing in Ohio.

For this special centennial event, Lefton was joined by BGSU President Carol Cartwright, who served as Kent State’s president from 1991 to 2006; Vice Chancellor John Brighton; and Inter-University Council of Ohio President Bruce Johnson.

The Ohio House of Representatives and Senate also presented resolutions recognizing both schools.