Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

The experiences Earl K. Miller, ’85, Ph.D., had at Kent State inspired him to give back.

The experiences Earl K. Miller, ’85, Ph.D., had at Kent State inspired him to give back. As a first-generation college student, Earl K. Miller, ’85, Ph.D., struggled to fund his education, and this experience motivated him to help students at Kent State University who face similar financial difficulties. Through a bequest, Earl and his wife Marlene M. Wicherski created The Earl K. Miller First Generation Scholarship and The Earl K. Miller Last Dollar Scholarship, both of which will aid students with financial need. “I wanted to give something that helps those students,” Earl said. “My...

Kent State alumnus Preston Mitchum is a member of the cast of Summer House: Martha's Vineyard.

When he was a student at Kent State University, Preston Mitchum, BA ‘08, was heavily involved in student government and other organizations and recalls taking part in a considerable number of campus protests.  Now, the attorney and activist has become the peacemaker and voice of reason on the reality TV show, “Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard.”  Mitchum, 37, who resides in Washington, D.C., is about to begin taping season two of the show, which aired its first season in May and June on the Bravo network.   The show follows a group of 12 young Black professionals...

Left: Anthony Scilla with award outside of Franklin Hall; Right: SPJ Award-winning photo by Anthony Scilla

Kent State junior Anthony Scilla was on his way across campus Dec. 2, 2022, when his Reporting professor Jacqueline Marino messaged the class saying Student Media needed all the help they could get. A massive fire had broken out at Star of the West Milling Co. building on N. Water Street in Kent, and they needed reporters and photographers to cover it. Scilla, a public relations major, had his camera with him, so he followed the cloud of smoke downtown. In Reporting, students learn how to cover a beat and report on breaking news, while frequently contributing to Student Media’s KentWired.co...

Sound production student

In a matter of mere weeks, the new Barbie movie has broken multiple records. With global box-office sales topping $1 billion, the movie is now the biggest film to be directed by one woman – Greta Gerwig, who also co-wrote the screenplay for the live-action film with screenwriter Noah Baumbach. According to media reports, the film also is reported to currently be the second-highest-grossing film of 2023, the 10th-fastest-grossing film to reach $1 billion worldwide, and the 40th-highest-grossing film of all time. With the film gaining international attention for breaking bar...

Students hosting Emmys backstage show

As television news professionals from the region gathered for the Central Great Lakes Regional Emmy Awards gala over the summer, Kent State Media and Journalism (MDJ) students “ran the show” behind the scenes. The annual event, which took place June 17, 2023, celebrates industry excellence, recognizing television news professionals from Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania who meet the highest standards in television professionalism. MDJ adjunct instructor Sam Angello, who teaches Production Fundamentals and Digital Video Editing, has been involved with the National Academy of Television Arts &am...

Subscribe to