When Tracy Laux, ’82, ’90, retired from Kent State in May 2025 after a 35-year career, he wanted to find a way to remain involved and continue supporting students. For Laux that connection had nothing to do with academics. Instead, he decided to take charge with a personal care items drive benefiting the CARES Center.
As Faculty Senate emeritus and the emeritus representative of the KSU Retirees Association to the Kent State Faculty Senate, Laux organized the drive that brought faculty, administrators and retirees together to collect 200 personal care items for students in need. The donations were critical, arriving when the CARES Center’s supply was nearly depleted, and included items such as shampoo, toothpaste, and other hygiene products.
The idea began with a personal experience. Laux’s daughter created the Cardinal Quartet, a classical music group made up of current and former Kent State student musicians. After learning that the student musicians serving as graduate assistants had little summer support, Laux took them grocery shopping.
“That made me think of all the students that I do not know who may need a little help as they pursue their studies,” said Laux.
He saw an opportunity to extend that support to more students by engaging Faculty Senate and the KSU Retirees Association in a new initiative. His goal is to make this drive a tradition, bringing the groups together twice a year to contribute needed items to the CARES Center.
For Laux, supporting the center is a meaningful way to stay connected to the university and give back to the students who make up its community.
“Alleviating some of our students’ stress by providing a few of life’s necessities that might currently be out of their reach is a fine thing to do for our students and ourselves,” said Tracy.
He hopes the effort will inspire other groups across the Kent State community to make the CARES Center a focus of their own giving, helping ensure students have access to essential items as they pursue their education.
To support the CARES Center, visit our giving portal.
