Kent State students, gathered and smiling outside around a Kent State sign

Support the Honors College

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Kent State University’s Honors College is one of the oldest in the country and during the 2019-2020 academic year, we welcomed the largest freshmen class in school history. Currently a thriving and exciting community, students in our program represent the best and brightest in majors from every college within the university. Whether a student is pursuing a degree in business or history, fashion design or nursing, biology or art, or any of Kent State’s 300 majors, the Honors College is ready to help them reach their professional goals.

Our students receive outstanding advising and career guidance, as well as opportunities for research experience through internships and completion of an Honors Thesis. Each of these experiences are made possible thanks to the philanthropy of our generous supporters. No matter which honors area you choose to support, your gift will make an immediate and lasting impact on the students and future of Kent State Honors College.

With best regards,

Dr. Alison J. Smith
Dean, Kent State Honors College

Support the College

In order to prepare our students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to become professionals and leaders in their chosen fields, the Honors College is focusing on these key priorities:

Honors Scholarship Fund - Supporting our students as they strive for higher learning remains our top priority. With ongoing reductions in state funding, the cost of a college education is higher than ever. It is very important to the Honors College that we provide our best and brightest students with the tools they need to succeed and as such, this fund provides financial support to students in their time of need.
Study Away/Abroad Scholarship Fund - Studying away in a location like New York City, or studying abroad in a place like Italy, helps our students acquire broader national and global perspectives, and appreciate cross-cultural values and achievements. Their worlds expand and their perceptions about themselves in that world are never quite the same. In addition, for some majors at Kent State such as Fashion Design, a study away experience is now required. Supporting our Study Away/Abroad Scholarships helps open the door to the world for our students. Learn more about the Study Away/Abroad Scholarship Fund
Dean's Development Fund - Through this fund, we support programs such as Alternative Breaks for our students, which expose them to social justice and cultural issues through direct service, community engagement, reflection and a variety of cultural activities. Other large scale, off-campus excursions and field trips can be offered, such as Shakespeare in Performance, a course that includes a trip to Staunton, Virginia to the American Shakespeare Center. This fund also supports alumni engagement opportunities such as Career Conversations, and a variety of other programs, like national conferences, that encourage our students to network with professionals within their chosen field.
Thesis Fund - Students who wish to take their Honors experience to the highest level and graduate with Kent State University Honors Distinction have the option to complete and successfully defend a Senior Honors Thesis/Project. The thesis demonstrates experience with design, execution, analysis, and presentation in the student’s field of study which gives the student an advantage as they apply to graduate schools and places of employment. Students who are completing a Senior Honors Thesis/Project are eligible to apply for one of several $1,000 scholarships, which are available on a competitive basis. These scholarships help students with research and travel expenses that are common with these types of projects. Learn More about the Honors College Thesis Fund

Support the College

Select any of the links below to learn more about the most common options for giving to Kent State University:

Cash, Checks, Credit Card, PayPal

The easiest way to donate; contributions can be sent via check to the Kent State Foundation office, or you can make a credit card donation online.

Securities

The Kent State Foundation accepts appreciated securities, which may offer a larger tax benefit than a cash gift.

Real Estate

Gifts of long-term, appreciated real estate usually offer an immediate tax benefit.

Gift Planning

Bequests present a way to leave a legacy after your lifetime. You may also establish a trust or annuity that can provide income to you or a loved one while benefiting the university. Our advisers can help you determine the best options.

Payroll Deduction

Employees of Kent State University can make their contributions through automatic deductions from their paychecks.

Employer Matching Program

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions or volunteer hours made by their employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, please enter your employer's name below.

Complete the form below to update your contact information on file at Kent State University. If you are a current Kent State University student or employee, please contact the appropriate office to formally change your name or information for university records.