August 15, 2025

This event is required for all first-year students classified as commuting to and from campus. This is your opportunity to learn about the KSU Kickoff schedule and meet with Kent State University staff and students to get your questions answered.
Students should attend this event based on their personal availability between the hours 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Location is room 306 ABC of the Kent Student Center (third floor of building).
Check-in times are not assigned; however, attendance will be recorded upon student arrival.
Student guides will be present on the first floor of the Kent Student Center at 9:15 a.m. after this check-in concludes to take students to their Dean's Welcome location, which starts at 9:30 a.m.

Need assistance locating your Dean's Welcome location? Stop by Risman Plaza right in front of the Kent Student Center between 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Here, Peer Success Mentors (PSMs) will escort students to their specific Dean's Welcome location by college.
Dean’s Welcome
Come together with other students in your college to meet your Dean.
You'll build some pride for your major and new academic home before going to Convocation together. All new students are required to attend the Dean's Welcome for their respective college.
These events will take place from 9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. at various locations.
Check out the KSU Kickoff app in the event schedule for more information. Please search by college.

This event is required for all new students. Convocation introduces incoming first-year students to the administration of the university and serves as their first academic ceremony. This event will take place at the MACC and will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Make Your MarK (K Picture)
This event is required for all first-year students. Class of 2029! Follow your Peer Success Mentors (PSMs) from Convocation in the Memorial Athletic Convocation Center (MACC) to the Centennial Court Green for your class photo! The “K” picture will promptly begin at 11:30 a.m.

This event is required for all first-year students. Head to the Kent Student Center directly after the Class of 2029 photo for lunch provide by University Culinary Services.
Make sure to have your FLASHcard on hand.
This event will take place from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Ballroom and/or Room 218 (of the student center).

On Friday, August 15th you will participate in your Flashes 101 class! Your room location for this first session is determined by your Fall Flashes 101 course section.
Your room location for this first section is determined by your Fall Flashes 101 course section.
To locate your specific section, time, and location, please use the following: Flashes 101 Room Locator
To find your location/time using the above room locator, use one of the following search criteria below (Course Section UC-10097-XXX <-- Must enter only all three digits OR Faculty name) found on your Fall schedule.
All students will be walking downtown to Flashes First Friday, a required KSU Kickoff event, with their class sections after their first Flashes 101 session on Friday, August 15. More details about the Flashes First Friday event can be found in the KSU Kickoff app and will be communicated during this first class section.

All students are welcomed to an event in downtown Kent where students can get to know the area and the shops/services available to them as members of the Kent community.
Also, come for raffle prizes, food, music, and much more!
Will have an incentive activity on hand for students to participate in that will have them explore the different businesses downtown in order to possibly win raffle prizes and the exclusive event shirt upon completion.
This event will take place starting at E. Erie Street where you will check in at anytime between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., to N. Water Street, where you will turn in the completion of the incentive activity by 5:30 p.m., to all of downtown Kent in between.
Students participating in Flashes 101 on this date will walk down to this event after their first-class session!

Kick off the school year with Late Night at The Library on Friday, August 16 from 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at the Library! This will be a party where you can hang out with friends over free pizza and Handel’s ice cream! Enjoy a live DJ, a dance party, games, Esports, and giveaways. You can also meet your friendly librarians, who are here to help you during your time at Kent State! This year’s theme is GLOW, so bring your light-up gear and join the fun!

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