On Friday, April 24, Kent State University community members and staff planted trees across campus to celebrate Arbor Day, continuing efforts that have earned the University national recognition as a Tree Campus USA Higher Education institution for 18 consecutive years.  The Tree Campus Higher Education program helps universities plant, nurture and celebrate trees on campus. Kent State has received recognition consecutively since the program began.As a part of the efforts, Kent State marked Arbor Day with tree plantings at multiple locations across campus, bringing together students, staf...

Kent State University celebrated Earth Day - part of its Earth Month programming - with a campus-wide series of events that blended hands-on education, student research and community partnerships. From the Earth Fest on Risman Plaza—featuring more than 50 organizations—to the scientific posters at the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI) Research Showcase and the Electric Vehicle Showcase, the day’s activities highlighted how sustainability is woven into academic life. Together, these events underscored the university’s year-round commitment to environmental care and enc...

A team of Kent State University researchers is studying whether naturally occurring bacteria in polluted streams can help remove toxic metals from the environment—work that could improve understanding of ecosystem recovery, contaminated water remediation, and even the search for life on Mars.The project is supported by a Seed Grant from Kent State University’s Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI), which funds innovative interdisciplinary research addressing environmental challenges.Led by Courtney Wagner, PhD, of Kent State’s Department of Earth Sciences, together with a...

 Students, faculty, staff and community partners gathered at Kent State University’s Herrick Aquatic Ecology Research Facility (HAERF) on April 24 for the university’s Arbor Day BioBlitz, a hands-on event focused on documenting biodiversity across one of campus’s most unique research environments.Organized by Kent State’s new student chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration, the BioBlitz invited participants of all experience levels to explore the wetland’s network of experimental ponds and Allerton Creek while collecting ecological observations alongside researchers and environm...

‘Fashion & Feather’ Opens at Cleveland Museum of Natural HistoryExhibition is presented in partnership with the Kent State University Museum and School of FashionA new exhibition pairing fashion from Kent State University Museum's collection with ornithological specimens from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History opened Wednesday — Earth Day — at the Cleveland museum, where it will remain on view through Oct. 11."Fashion & Feather" brings together feather-adorned garments, accessories, taxidermy mounts and cultural objects, organized by species — including peacocks, ostriches, kingfi...

Celebrate Earth Day TomorrowAll are invited to a full day of Earth Day celebrations tomorrow, April 22. Start with Earth Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Risman Plaza. Enjoy live music, booths, hands-on experiences, and even the Zero Emission Vehicle. Then from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute Research Showcase will be held in the Integrated Sciences Building. Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, the showcase highlights innovative sustainability research conducted by members of the Kent State community. Finally, both the Haymaker Farmers' Market and FAB's...

Campus grounds leaders are working to salvage trees removed due to storm damage, disease, the E. Main Street construction project and other causes, transforming them into a resource for future academic and beautification projects.  Leading the efforts is Freeland Southard, manager of FabLAB, and Pamela Evans, Professor Emerita of Interior Design in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design. The two say the idea grew from experience and a shared commitment to sustainability.“Just noticing that there have been a lot of trees cut down annually, I saw an opportunity for a resource ...

Kent State University’s College of Arts and Sciences has earned seven national rankings for the university in the newly released U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Graduate Schools report, highlighting the breadth and strength of its graduate programs across the sciences, mathematics and public affairs.In the new rankings for 2026, Kent State earned a top 100 placement on the Best Clinical Psychology Doctorate Programs list, coming in at No. 77 and making Kent State the highest-ranked public institution in northern ...

April is Earth MonthCelebrate Earth Day all this month! April 22, 2026, marks the 56th Anniversary of Earth Day. The Kent State University Earth Month Planning Committee has organized events throughout the month of April. Check out over 25 events on the Kent campus hosted by various departments and organizations, including volunteer opportunities, Environmental Studies Majors Senior Project Presentations, clean-ups, hikes, kayak trips, climbing, whitewater rafting, National Ride-a-Bike Day and more. And be sure to attend Earth Fest on April 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Risman Plaza. View ...

Several faculty members from Kent State University’s College of Arts and Sciences, along with community partners, are among the recipients of the 2026 Engagement Awards from the Community Engaged Research Institute (CERI).The Engagement Awards recognize partnerships between Kent State faculty and community collaborators in Northeast Ohio. The awarded projects and teams were announced March 30:Water science and community capacityOne project, “Building Local Community Capacity for Water Science and Management in Northeast Ohio,” includes:Lauren Kinsman-Costello, Department of Biological Sciences...