Kent State University alumnus Earl K. Miller, Ph.D., and his wife, Marlene M. Wicherski, have pledged $2 million to support research programs and students in Kent State’s Brain Health Research Institute. The Brain Health Research Institute is a recently established, cross-disciplinary institute that focuses on research and education to understand the influences that impact brain health across the lifespan and uses this knowledge as a window into the prevention and treatment of brain disease.

KeyBank Foundation has awarded a new $200,000 gift to Kent State University to continue KeyBank Foundation’s support for the successful Key Connections program offered by University College at Kent State. The Key Connections program will continue to support student success initiatives for underserved students, including first-generation students and students from limited income backgrounds who will enroll in Fall Semester 2022.

The PNC Foundation has awarded $75,000 to Kent State University to help ensure success among students who commonly face barriers in college. This grant aligns with PNC’s focus on addressing economic inequality among Black American and low- to moderate-income communities, and it will provide resources for students that will help them complete college and establish a strong foundation on which to build their careers.

Kent State University publicly launched a $350 million comprehensive fundraising campaign Saturday, Oct. 2. During a special halftime announcement at the Homecoming football game, campaign co-chairs Sandra C. and Lawrence R. Armstrong joined Kent State President Todd Diacon to publicly unveil Forever Brighter to thousands of alumni, donors and friends. 

This year, Kent State University donors demonstrated the power of philanthropy by giving at unprecedented levels. The 2021 Giving Tuesday campaign shattered the previous records, more than tripling last year’s record of $2.2 million.