Inspiring Stories
Honoring Teachers and Nurses Who Made a Difference
Oct. 20, 2026
For Anthony W. “Tony” O’Leary, ’72, MPA ’76, the path to college was not always clear. After losing his mother, his teachers helped him imagine a different future. “My mother passed away just as I was starting high school,” Tony said. “I had a couple of teachers at the high…
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From Coach to Champion: Investing in Future Accounting Professionals
Oct. 20, 2026
“Life is about people. It has no meaning except for its effect on others.”
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Legacies Change Lives: Sebastian Van Hauter
Oct. 20, 2026
Sebastian Van Hauter is a junior history major from Akron, Ohio, who is expected to graduate in 2028. He was recently awarded the Dr. Thomas H. Smith Endowed Scholarship, which is helping him study at the American University in Bulgaria. “Receiving this scholarship helped…
Read More »Turn Your RMD Into a Gift That Makes a Difference
Oct. 20, 2026
For many retirees, taking a required minimum distribution (RMD) from an IRAis simply part of managing retirement income. But if you are age 70½ or older and are charitably inclined, you may be able to turn all or part of your RMD into meaningful support for Kent State through a…
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Betting on the Next Generation of Kent State Students
Aug. 20, 2026
When Jason Zygadlo, ’02, sat down with his family to make a will, he knew he wanted to include a planned gift to support Kent State University students as part of his estate plan.
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Legacies Change Lives: Emma Troyer
May 15, 2026
Emma Troyer is a senior music education major from Sandusky, Ohio. As a student in the Kent State Glauser School of Music, she has found a strong sense of community while preparing for a career in music education.“Kent State was always my top school, but I didn’t know if I could…
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What the 2026 Tax Law Changes Mean for Planned Giving
May 15, 2026
As you consider your long-term philanthropic goals, changes in federal tax law beginning in 2026 may influence how you structure your charitable giving. If you’re thinking of including Kent State in your estate or financial plans, understanding these updates can help you…
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Strengthening the Bonds Between Kent State and the Community Through Scholarships
May 12, 2026
Community is important to Timothy “Tim” Crock, and as a lifelong resident of Kent, Ohio, he wants to help Kent area students advance their education right here at home, empowering them to achieve and build their careers in their own community.
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Couple Channels Their Love of Science and Technology Into Their Legacy
May 12, 2026
Ronald R. “Ron,” ’88, and Mary L. Rivett, ’72, MS ’84, had a mutual love of science and computers. Although they were both from the same town in Northeast Ohio and attended the same high school, they didn’t get to know each other until a chance encounter in 1971 when she was…
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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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