The streets of Kent, Ohio, will be filled with blue and gold as Kent State University alumni, students, parents, employees and community members gather for this year’s Homecoming. The university will host activities and events leading up to the Oct. 21 Homecoming Parade and Homecoming football game. All are invited to take part in one of Kent State’s long-standing traditions.
This year, Kent State is recognizing 50 years of award-winning global education through its Homecoming theme, It’s a Flash World. The first education-abroad group of students from Kent State traveled to Florence, Italy, in 1972. In honor of their important role in Kent State’s global education journey, members of this inaugural education-abroad class will serve as this year’s Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals.
Grand Opening of the Aeronautics and Engineering Building Expansion
From 3-4 p.m. on Oct. 20, Kent State holds the grand opening of the expansion of the Aeronautics and Engineering Building. Serving the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, the building expansion adds more than 40,000 square feet to the facility to accommodate significant current and future enrollment growth.
Alumni Awards Ceremony
At 5 p.m. on Oct. 20, the Kent State Alumni Awards, the highest alumni honors, are presented to 10 award recipients. Sponsored by the Kent State Alumni Association, the awards recognize Golden Flashes who have made exceptional contributions in their chosen profession, in their communities and at the university through outstanding leadership, character and hard work.
Homecoming Kickoff and Fireworks
At 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 20, Kent State presents Homecoming Kickoff at Hometown Bank Plaza in downtown Kent. Attendees can celebrate the start of the weekend’s festivities at this pep rally, complete with a spectacular fireworks display at 8 p.m.
Homecoming Parade
The Homecoming Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 21 on the corner of Midway Drive and Main Street, traveling west on Main Street into downtown Kent. The parade features floats, Kent State and local high school marching bands, the Homecoming Court, university colleges and departments, Kent State cheerleaders and athletes, student organizations, local officials and more. Attendees can grab a coffee and a morning snack near the Rock on Front Campus, a great spot to watch the parade. Members of the university’s first education-abroad group will serve as this year’s Parade Grand Marshals. For those who can’t make it back to campus, a livestream of the parade is available starting at 10:15 a.m.
Kiss on the K
Kent State couples can celebrate the place that brought them together by sharing a kiss on the K at Risman Plaza (in front of the Kent Student Center) at noon on Oct. 21 for a special Homecoming tradition called Kiss on the K, which happens to fall on Sweetest Day this year. All couples will kiss on the K when the bell rings at 12:30 p.m.
Flash Nation Tailgate and Homecoming Football Game
Starting at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 before the football game, Golden Flashes fans can attend the Flash Nation Tailgate that will feature food, fun and festivities for the whole family to enjoy outside at Dix Stadium. The first 1,000 fans to visit will receive a Kent State pennant. An education-abroad reunion will take place during the tailgate for those who studied abroad during their time at Kent State. Fabrizio Ricciardelli, Ph.D., director of Kent State Florence, will be in attendance. Then at 3:30 p.m., the Homecoming football game features the Kent State Golden Flashes taking on Mid-American Conference East Division opponent the University at Buffalo Bulls. Fans are encouraged to wear gold attire. The Homecoming Court will be recognized at the game, and Kent State’s 2023 Homecoming Royalty will be announced and crowned at halftime.
Alumni Chapter Tailgates and Events
Multiple tailgates will take place throughout the day, held by various alumni chapters. All are welcome to participate. Additionally, the Black Alumni Chapter will be holding multiple events from Oct. 19-22. A list of events can be found online.
About Homecoming 2023
For more information about Kent State’s Homecoming 2023 and a full schedule of events, visit www.kent.edu/homecoming.
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Top Photo Caption:
Members of Kent State University’s Marching Golden Flashes walk by parade watchers during the university’s Homecoming Parade in 2022.
Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595