Ventra Salem Donates Face Shields to Kent State University

Ventra Salem just helped add another layer of protection against COVID for students across the Kent State University system. The company, based in Salem, recently donated 1,000 plastic face shields that will be distributed to students and faculty on Kent campuses.

Matt Zines, program engineer at Ventra Salem and a KSU alum, hands over a carton of face shields to Dr. David Dees, dean and CAO of the Columbiana County campuses.

The face shields are particularly helpful for the allied health programs because students and faculty must navigate situations that include hands-on instruction and movement in clinical-like settings. 

 Ventra Salem donated 90 shields earlier to the Salem Campus, making its contribution nearly 1,100 shields to Kent State.

“It’s wonderful that a local company is willing to do something so meaningful for our students and I am proud of the Kent State connection with Ventra,” noted Dr. David Dees, dean and CAO of the Columbiana County campuses. 

 Matt Zines, a Kent State graduate who attended the Salem Campus, is a program engineer at Ventra and helped with this specific project. He and Anthony Cugini, safety coordinator, recently delivered the face shields to the Salem Campus.

Ventra Salem is a division of Flex-N-Gate. It manufactures a wide range of engineered mechanical assemblies, precision molded, painted and plated plastic components and lamp systems. 


Cutline A: On hand for the delivery of 1,000 plastic face shields from Ventra Salem were (from left) Dean and CAO David Dees; Ventra’s Anthony Cugini and Matt Zines and John Stainer of the Kent State Salem maintenance staff, wearing one of the shields – all following social distancing rules.

Cutline B: Matt Zines, program engineer at Ventra Salem and a KSU alum, hands over a carton of face shields to Dr. David Dees, dean and CAO of the Columbiana County campuses.

POSTED: Monday, August 3, 2020 03:45 PM
Updated: Friday, December 9, 2022 12:17 PM