Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

Veronica Dexheimer, Ph.D.

Studying the Universe from the Inside Out

Kent State Professor Named One of Only Eight 2026 Simons Pivot FellowsHow did the universe begin? Why is it expanding? What role do dark matter and dark energy, which account for 95 percent of the universe, play in the universe’s evolution? These are just some of the questions that Veronica Dex…

Tags: Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

Alumni and Giving

Jacob Rathkopf, ’26

Celebrating the Legacy of Service at Kent State

The newest addition to Kent State University’s Student Leadership Awards recognizes a value that has long defined the university community: service.Introduced this year through a partnership between the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement with the Center for Student Involvement, the Golde…

Tags: Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement , Alumni

Alumni and Giving

Cathy Dorn

From National History Day Intern to Executive Director - Cathy Gorn Leads Fulfilling, Impactful Career

It took a few Kent State history classes for Cathy Gorn, ’82, National History Day Executive Director, to discover her passion for history. However, her journey to get there was unexpected.In her younger years, Cathy was interested in science so biology seemed like a fitting major for her. When she …

Tags: Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement , Alumni

Alumni and Giving

Emma Troyer

Legacies Change Lives: Emma Troyer

Emma Troyer is a senior music education major from Sandusky, Ohio. As a student in the Kent State Glauser School of Music, she has found a strong sense of community while preparing for a career in music education.“Kent State was always my top school, but I didn’t know if I could afford to come here,…

Tags: Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement , Legacy , Inspiring Stories

Alumni and Giving

A calculator sits on a desk next to a keyboard.

What the 2026 Tax Law Changes Mean for Planned Giving

As you consider your long-term philanthropic goals, changes in federal tax law beginning in 2026 may influence how you structure your charitable giving. If you’re thinking of including Kent State in your estate or financial plans, understanding these updates can help you maximize both your impact an…

Tags: Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement , Legacy , Inspiring Stories

Alumni and Giving

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

Timothy “Tim” Crock and family

Strengthening the Bonds Between Kent State and the Community Through Scholarships

Community is important to Timothy “Tim” Crock, and as a lifelong resident of Kent, Ohio, he wants to help Kent area students advance their education right here at home, empowering them to achieve and build their careers in their own community.“You develop ties to the place you go to college,” Tim ex…

Tags: Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement , Legacy , Inspiring Stories

Alumni and Giving

Ronald R. “Ron,” ’88, and Mary L. Rivett, ’72, MS ’84

Couple Channels Their Love of Science and Technology Into Their Legacy

Ronald R. “Ron,” ’88, and Mary L. Rivett, ’72, MS ’84, had a mutual love of science and computers. Although they were both from the same town in Northeast Ohio and attended the same high school, they didn’t get to know each other until a chance encounter in 1971 when she was student teaching. When R…

Tags: Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement , Legacy , Inspiring Stories

Alumni and Giving

A student spins a prize wheel at a table during Thank-A-Giver Day for Flashes Give Back Week

Kent State Students Share Gratitude During Annual Thank-A-Giver Day

Kent State University students had the opportunity to reflect on the impact of philanthropy during Flashes Give Back Week in April, including Thank-A-Giver (TAG) Day, an annual event designed to highlight the role of donor support across campus.

Tags: Student Life , Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement , Students First

Kent State Today

Members of the Kent State community participated in Flashes Give Back Week

Golden Flashes: The Real Heroes of Someone’s Story

During Flashes Give Back Week, over 1,100 volunteers strengthened our communities and more than 700 donors raised $165,000+ to support Kent State causes.From April 13-18, Golden Flashes once again came together to make a meaningful impact during Flashes Give Back Week, a weeklong initiative celebrat…

Tags: Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement , Alumni

Alumni and Giving