Kent Blossom Music Festival Announces Return of In-person Concerts for 2021
Kent Blossom Music Festival returns July 11 through August 1 in a blended format with four live, in-person concerts as well as virtual educational programming for a select group of invited Young Artists. All in-person concerts will be ticketed and take place in Kent State University Glauser School of Music’s Ludwig Recital Hall. Each concert will also be live streamed for free.
“I’m thrilled to be able to offer a Festival experience that blends in-person and virtual elements,” said Ricardo Sepulveda, director of the Kent Blossom Music Festival. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the Kulas Foundation, we’re able to offer two concerts on our Kulas Visiting Artist Series featuring four internationally-renowned artists as well as two more concerts featuring the Miami String Quartet and members of The Cleveland Orchestra.”
The first Faculty Concert Series performance on Wed., July 14 at 7:30 p.m. will feature Kulas Visiting Artists violinist Paul Huang and pianist Helen Huang. Works on this concert include sonatas by Mendelssohn, Corigliano, Ysaÿe and Franck. On the second concert will be Kulas Visiting Artists flutist Demarre McGill and pianist Rodolfo Leone performing diverse works by Valerie Coleman, Lowell Liebermann, William Grant and Yuko Uebayashi. This concert is Wed., July 21 at 7:30 p.m. Learn more about these internationally acclaimed artists.
Kent Blossom Music Festival’s third concert on Fri., July 23 at 7:30 p.m. marks the return of Northeast Ohio favorites the Miami String Quartet—Festival Quartet-in-Residence—to the Ludwig Recital Hall stage. Violinists Benny Kim and Cathy Meng Robinson, violist Scott Lee and cellist Keith Robinson will present a program featuring works by Haydn, Schulhoff and Dvorak.
Concluding the 2021 Faculty Concert Series will be members of The Cleveland Orchestra and Festival faculty. Specific performers and repertoire for this Wed., July 28, 7:30 p.m. concert will be released soon. Learn more about the performers and concerts.
Subscriptions and single tickets for all four performances can be purchased by the general public starting June 7. Pricing per ticket starts at $25 for single tickets or $100 for all four concerts. Seating is limited to 50 individuals to facilitate physical distancing. All orders must be made in advance—no exceptions. Find detailed ticket order and safety information.
All concerts will be live streamed for free.
Please note that this announcement does not reflect the independent programming of The Cleveland Orchestra and Blossom Music Center. Find information regarding concerts of The Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center.
Division of Student Affairs Wins Prestigious National Award
The Division of Student Affairs at Kent State has been named one of the 30 Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs for 2021 by ACPA-College Student Educators International and Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
This is the first time the division has received the honor and was only one of three schools in Ohio to garner the award, joining Miami University-Oxford and The Ohio State University.
With a direct focus on workplace diversity, staffing practices, and work environment, the research uses a web-based survey approach to examine categories such as family friendliness, salary/benefits, and professional development opportunities.
“This award really belongs to the hard-working staff in the Division of Student Affairs,” said Vice President for Student Affairs, Lamar Hylton. “Our staff pushes us to be better, [and] our staff really works hard at making sure we have a Division of Student Affairs that is the best.”
Despite facing a pandemic, the division unveiled a three-year strategic plan in January to provide students with a world-class experience during their time at the university. Hylton believes this is just one of the many factors contributing to making the division one of the best in the country. For more, visit the Student Affairs website.
Preston Superstore Donation Jumpstarts Kent State Geauga's Renovation Fundraising Campaign
As Kent State Geauga embarks upon two facility improvements for the Geauga Campus in Burton, the leadership is pleased to announce an initial gift to the project from Preston Superstore and the Preston Family. The campus improvements will include constructing a new nursing lab and instructional space and a new student learning commons. Both projects will help Kent State Geauga meet existing and future students' needs while growing programs to continue to be one of the county's greatest resources.
"Preston Superstore and the Preston family enjoy a longstanding history of generously assisting Geauga County residents," said Angela Spalsbury, Ph.D., Dean and Chief Administrative Officer of Kent State University Geauga. "Kent State Geauga is grateful and honored to receive this generous support for our upcoming campus renovations to modernize student learning spaces. The families and local businesses in Geauga County continually promote and advance the educational programs and activities on campus, and the Preston family's gift exemplifies their genuine commitment to our community."
The Preston Family gift is the lead gift to this campaign that aims to raise $1.2 million in philanthropic support. Construction for these projects is expected to occur in the summer of 2022 and be completed in time for the fall 2022 semester.
"Our family wholeheartedly believes that both UH Geauga and Kent State Geauga are so important to this community. It is rare for a community like ours to be blessed with both higher education and a world-renowned hospital system," said Jackie Preston Franck. "We know Kent State's improved nursing lab and training of more nurses who will one day work at UH Geauga will provide our community with even better healthcare. My family and I were so happy to have helped kick off Kent State University Geauga's fundraising campaign. It is such a special gift to have access to higher education right here in our community. We believe it makes continuing education accessible to everyone in our area. We hope others in our community see this gift and are also inspired to give to this wonderful university."
The new nursing lab will train additional work-ready nursing graduates to meet local healthcare institutions' needs. Geauga County currently has more than 6,000 jobs in the health care field.
The new Student Learning Commons will create an environment in which students will thrive. Whether they are engaging with faculty members, working collaboratively on a class assignment, or finding a quiet place to prepare for their next class, students will enjoy the inviting and comfortable renovated commons. This revitalized area will also include a new fresh food cafe and access to library amenities.
Find complete details about this project. Kent State University at Geauga and the Twinsburg Academic Center offers more than 20 complete associate and bachelor's degree programs in career-oriented fields, including nursing, business, English, information technology, and psychology. Students experience small class sizes and personalized interaction with faculty and flexible, student-centered learning platforms.
Daily Emotions in Therapy Virtual Study
The Clinical Affective Science Lab at Kent State University is conducting the Daily Emotions in Therapy (DET) study to better understand how emotions change during therapy or counseling. The main part of the study involves completing very brief questionnaires via a smartphone about your daily emotional experiences, as well as recording reactions to your therapy or counseling sessions. All study procedures are virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic and participants will NOT meet with any research assistants in-person.
Please complete the eligibility survey if you are interested in participating. Participants must be 18 years or older with daily access to a smartphone, and must be currently meeting with a therapist or counselor weekly or bi-weekly. If deemed eligible, our research team will contact you about scheduling an initial study appointment. The Clinical Affective Science Lab requests that faculty and staff strongly consider being a part of the DET study as it seeks to improve the effectiveness of therapy and counseling.
July Employee Wellness Offerings - Summer Health and Safety
Ample sunshine, longer days and warmer temperatures means more opportunities to get outside and get involved! Summer weather and activities also bring along considerations for our well-being. It’s important to keep health and safety a top priority while having fun in the sun.
Join Employee Wellness for several July webinars on topics ranging from first aid basics and eating healthy on the road to staying safe on and off campus. Consider registering for the Wellable Sun-sational Summer Challenge to learn even more about summer safety, which will include education on hydration and sun protection, safe grilling, keeping bugs at bay, and staying safe while engaging in summer activities like bonfires and hikes. Click on the titles below to learn more and register.
- Webinar: First Aid Basics. July 8, noon – 1 p.m. Learn strategies for action in emergency situations.
- Webinar: Life in the Fast Line: Making Smart Choices on the Road. July 14, noon – 1 p.m. Gain suggestions for eating healthy while on the go.
- Webinar: Financial Wellness: Managing Your Student Loans. July 20, noon – 1 p.m. Learn the difference between federal and private student loans, find available repayment options, and receive details about the Student Loan Public Service Forgiveness program.
- Webinar: Community and Campus Safety. July 29, noon – 1 p.m. Get insightful information and tips to ensure your safety on and off campus.
- Wellable Sun-Sational Summer Challenge June 28 – July 25. This challenge will provide practical tips and tricks to help you set the tone for a fantastic summer season that is safe, active, healthy, and happy. Registration will close at 5 p.m. on June 22.
For questions regarding health and wellness offerings for faculty and staff, please contact Employee Wellness at wellness@kent.edu, or 330-672-0392.
Message Boards
Have something to buy or sell? Want to get a faculty- or staff-related message or announcement out to the university community, such as a birth, wedding or retirement? If so, post it to the Faculty/Staff Message Boards. You can get to the Faculty/Staff Message Boards by visiting https://www.kent.edu/hr/faculty-staff-news and clicking on the Message Boards button. Or email facultystaffnews@kent.edu.
Labor Condition Application Notice
In accordance with 20 CFR § 655.734, Kent State University is required to provide notice that a Labor Condition Application (LCA) for H-1B Nonimmigrant Alien Worker has been led by Kent State University with the United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, United States Employment Service Certifying Officer. All LCA postings are provided for at the university's Legal Notices website.