Inspiring Stories
High School Sweethearts Leave a Legacy Through Philanthropy
Oct. 15, 2025
Although they were born in the same month at the same hospital in Youngstown, Ohio, James C. “Jim” Schrum, ’74, and his wife, Cynthia J. “Cindi” Schrum, didn’t meet until they were both students at Austintown Fitch High School. They started dating in the late 1960s and have been…
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Making a Difference for Future Generations
Oct. 15, 2025
Planned gifts, and bequests in particular, are a vital form of philanthropy at Kent State. These gifts make an important impact on our students and community, and they can be made in any amount, making them a great option for anyone interested in giving back.
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Legacies Change Lives: Lauren Bischof
Oct. 15, 2025
Lauren Bischof is a senior journalism major from Medina, Ohio, graduating in spring 2026. She recently participated in the rigorous Washington Program in National Issues in Washington, D.C., completing an internship at WJLA-TV in Arlington, Virginia. For more than 50 years, this…
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Roe Green Creates New Support Fund for the Kent State School of Theatre and Dance and Porthouse Theatre With $1 Million Gift
Oct. 7, 2025
The new fund will support university and Porthouse productions, the hiring of assistant directors, guest choreographers and guest artists, the hosting of master classes and the awarding of artistic merit-based scholarships to students. Students who receive such scholarships will…
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Opening Doors for Future Nurses
April 11, 2025
When Phillip R. Ridgley thought back on his career and considered how he could help the next generation of medical professionals, he decided he wanted to open doors for Kent State students pursuing a career in nursing. He decided to start an endowment so that he could continue…
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Helping Others Realize Their Potential
April 11, 2025
When Terrence J. “Chip” Bahn, ’75, M.Ed. ’77, Ed.D., was a high school senior he wanted to attend Kent State University after graduation, but he wasn’t ready and his counselor encouraged him to start at the local community college before moving on to Kent State. This experience…
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Honoring the Bonds of Friendship and Helping Aspiring Educators
Oct. 29, 2024
Charlotte L. “Char” Hughes, ’63, and Janette M. Aten, ’63, met while doing their laundry in Terrace Hall, where they both lived as students at Kent State University. Soon, they were inseparable. “Our time at Kent State was very enjoyable,” Char remembered. “We liked our…
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Saving Lives and Advocating for a Brighter Tomorrow
July 10, 2024
Advocacy is at the heart of the work Ken Ditlevson, ’95, M.Ed. ’98, does at Kent State University as the director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Plus (LGBTQ+) Center.
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Sharing Their Love of Education with Future Generations
May 1, 2024
Kent State University has held a special place in the hearts of Lynda Grieves and her husband George “Bill” Grieves Jr., ’58, who passed away in 2019. For their 60th wedding anniversary, Bill and Lynda chose to create a scholarship through a charitable gift annuity instead of…
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Rollie, ’64, and Frances Layfield Help Students Build Skills for Success
May 1, 2024
Hard work and discipline are a driving force for Rollie Layfield, ’64, and they have served him well throughout his life and his career in business. He credits both his degree program in business administration and his time in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)…
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