Success Stories

Transforum Theatre, a student organization in Kent State University’s School of Theatre and Dance, performed last month at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland. Dedicated to helping students pursue their passions and explore their creativity through art, Transforum Theatre was invited by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to perform an original work, “A Collection of Grimm’s Fairy Tales,” at the Greenside @ Nicholson Square venue Aug. 18–23.

A Kent State tradition for 33 years, the annual Black Squirrel Festival took place Friday, Sept. 5, from 12-6 p.m. on the Student Green and Risman Plaza. The Black Squirrel Festival, which is hosted by Kent Student Center Programming, attracts more than 3,000 students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the Kent community. The event included live music, inflatables, rock climbing wall, photo booth, food, local vendors, student organizations and thousands of giveaway items.

Kent State University has established a new Kent State tradition called Blue and Gold Friday.

Kent State University congratulates its new graduates. The university held its fall 2013 Commencement ceremonies for the Kent Campus on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14 at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (MAC Center). Kent State conferred 1,984 degrees, including 1,544 bachelor’s degrees, 390 master’s degrees, 47 doctoral degrees and three educational specialist degrees.

Previous research says female members of Generation Y are likely to have low self-esteem, resulting in negative behavior because of how women are portrayed in the media, but on the contrary, three undergraduate students from Kent State University have found this is not always true.

The Kent State University football team opens its 2014 season Saturday, Aug. 30, hosting Mid-American Conference East Division rival Ohio University at 6 p.m. inside Dix Stadium. The Kent State Golden Flashes won their final two games of the 2013 season, while the Bobcats earned a spot in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl. Throughout the season, the Kent State football players will have the number 54 on one side of their helmets to honor Jason Bitsko, following their teammate’s unexpected death last week.

Six recent high school graduates who will be starting classes at Kent State University this fall got a head start on their college education by studying abroad at Kent State’s Florence Summer Institute in Florence, Italy.  

Kent State University held its 44th annual commemoration of May 4, 1970, with events that took place May 3 and 4. The annual commemoration, hosted by the May 4 Task Force, provided an opportunity for the university community to gather and remember those who were lost and injured during the tragedy and also reflect on what May 4 means today.  

The Kent Student Center and the Center for Student Involvement invite students, faculty and staff to enjoy a week of Kent State spirit (and free food) to start the academic year with Welcome Back Week, from Aug. 25-29. 

Each August during freshman move-in day, Kent State University faculty, staff and students volunteer to assist incoming freshmen get settled into their new university accommodations. To make the experience more fun and welcoming, the Kent InterHall Council sponsors the Movers and Groovers program.Freshman move-in day took place on Thursday, Aug. 21. A host of volunteers welcomed students and parents, and assisted with heavy lifting. The Kent State president’s Cabinet also volunteered to help this year.