Community Impact

Earth Fest 2024

IN A FLASH: Earth Month Wrap Up

Kent State celebrated Earth Month with an exceptionally full schedule of events, not the least of which were the activities on campus surrounding the total solar eclipse!

Tags: Earth Day , Total Solar Eclipse , Environmental Science and Design Research Institute , Community Impact , Community & Society , Organizational Sustainability , Research & Science

Kent State Today

Porthouse Aerials

Porthouse Theatre Presents Its 2026 Season

Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s outdoor summer theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, invites you to its season of possibilities, beginning on June 12, 2026. In its 58th season, Porthouse Theatre will present “Grease,” “Side Show In Concert,” and “Lerner and Loewe's Brigadoon” in the summer of 2026.

Tags: Arts & Culture , Community Impact

Kent State Today

Spacesuit at the Statehouse

IN A FLASH: Spacesuit at the Statehouse

The Kent State University Museum celebrated the opening of "Ohioans in Space: The Carl E. Walz Spacesuit from the Kent State University Museum" with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.

Tags: Research & Science , Community & Society , Community Impact

Kent State Today

Graduation Photo

DC CAP Scholars Graduate Ready to Lead

At Kent State University’s University College, the CommUNITY Lab serves as a space where connection, growth and opportunity intersect, especially for graduating seniors like Ronshai Jones, Ariana Wallace and Yeshe Mulugeta. For these three, the journey to graduation has been defined by leadership, resilience, and the unwavering support of the DC College Access Program.

Tags: Students First , Community & Society , Community Impact , University College

Kent State Today

Mobile Flashes students provide fresh produce during a community event. (Photo credit: Rami Daud, Kent State University)

$1.75 Million Gift From Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation to Expand Kent State’s Mobile Health Outreach

The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation has awarded $1.75 million to Kent State University’s College of Public Health that will support students and programs, such as the Mobile Flashes program.

Tags: Health , Community & Society , Community Impact , College of Public Health and Health Sciences , Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

Kent State Today

Awards and Recognitions

Announcing the 2026 President’s Award of Distinction

The President’s Award of Distinction was created as a recognition program to reward staff members who have demonstrated outstanding achievements, service, leadership and dedication to Kent State in advancing the university’s strategic priorities and core values.

Tags: University News , Community & Society , Community Impact

Kent State Today

Stark Motorcycle Safety Hub

Stark Campus Becomes Hub for Motorcycle Safety Training

Motorcycle Ohio, a program of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, is celebrating the opening of its newest motorcycle rider training site at the Kent State Stark campus in North Canton. The new location was launched in partnership with the Stark County Sheriff's Office and will expand access to motorcycle safety education for residents in the region.

Tags: Community & Society , Community Impact

Kent State Today

Advanced Degrees Commencement Spring 2026 April McClelland

IN A FLASH: An End and a Beginning

Commencements as a foundational activity of a university are memorable days filled with emotions - some celebratory, some bittersweet.

Tags: Spring Semester , Commencement , Community Impact , University News , Regional Campuses

Kent State Today

Dean Kahler

IN A FLASH: Highlighting a Life of Commitment and Purpose

An exhibition, running from Apr. 30-Aug. 21, highlights the commitment of Dean Kahler, one of the nine students wounded on May 4, 1970 and his ongoing activities in promoting peace, activism, public service and disability rights.

Tags: May 4 , May 4 Visitors Center , Community & Society , Community Impact , Alumni , College of Architecture and Environmental Design

Kent State Today

Ivory Kendrick is proud of his accomplishments at USG president.

From Hardship to the Gavel: Ivory Kendrick’s Journey as Kent State’s USG President

A public health senior who once faced homelessness after losing his father is now leaving a lasting mark on student government — and preparing to continue his impact in graduate school.

Tags: University News , Student Life , Students First , Community Impact

Kent State Today