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...
by Lisa Abraham April 29, 2026 Design a garment inspired by migratory birds without using any actual feathers: This was the challenge presented to Kent State University fashion design students as part of a new partnership with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, celebrating the connection between nature and fashion design.The exhibition, “Fashion & Feather,” debuted on Earth Day, April 22, at the natural history museum and will remain open through Oct. 11, bringing together historic fashion, ornithological specimens, cultural objects and contemporary student designs.The exhi...
It’s not what it seems; no one is reaching for puns when they say that Rebekkah “Bekkah” Berryhill, the grounds manager in University Facilities Management for Kent State University’s Kent Campus, is down-to-earth and a well-grounded, happy, fulfilled person.She shared her story of how she arrived at Kent State as a student-athlete, became a student worker in the grounds crew, became a university employee and then, nearly 30 years later, became the grounds manager in charge of the entire Kent Campus.How a Buckeye Legacy Arrived at Kent StateBoth of Berryhill’s parents had graduated from Ohio S...
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 ...
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare by EmailThe CARES Center at Kent State University celebrated its five-year anniversary on April 14 with an open house that highlighted the accomplishments of the center over the past five years, while providing opportunities for tours of the center, complete with birthday cake, refreshments and CARES Center swag. Since its inception in 2021, CARES has worked to secure resources for students, to ensure their basic needs are met.Some students are unaware of the support CARES offers. By addressing the holistic needs of the student body...