Senior Honors Luncheon

Class photo of graduating Honors College seniors

Kent State University Senior Honors College Luncheon Applauds Graduating Seniors, Alumni and Faculty Award Recipients

Held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, in the Kent State University Student Center Ballroom, the 38th Annual Senior Honors Luncheon was an event to remember. This fabulous celebration was an acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication that Kent State Honors College graduating seniors for the spri…

Tags: Honors College , Senior Honors Thesis/Project , Senior Honors Luncheon

Honors College

Anne Johnson holds up her Cleveland Skyline clutch in front of the Cleveland skyline.

The Sky(line)'s The Limit: Anne Johnson's Journey to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur

From humble beginnings, in her sophomore year Stopher-Johnson dorm room and just one sewing machine, to becoming a retailer with national clients and a loyal customer base, Anne Johnson’s story serves as an inspiration to us all. Johnson is a Kent State University Honors College alumna from Men…

Tags: Honors College , Senior Honors Thesis/Project , Senior Honors Luncheon , Fashion School

Honors College

Rachel LoMonaco-Benzing, Ph.D. teaching in a classroom of students

Rachel LoMonaco-Benzing, Ph.D., Announced as 2024 Distinguished Honors Faculty Award Recipient

Rachel LoMonaco-Benzing’s journey to becoming an inspiring and impactful professor was anything but typical. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island and receiving a Bachelor of Science in textile, fashion, merchandising and design, with an apparel design focus and a Bachelor of Art…

Tags: Honors College , Senior Honors Thesis/Project , Senior Honors Luncheon , Fashion School

Honors College

Honors College 2023 Distinguished Faculty Award Winner Announced

The 37th Annual Senior Honors Luncheon was held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 in the Kent State University Ballroom to recognize seniors graduating in the spring, summer and fall of 2023. This ceremony also provides an opportunity for the Honors College to recognize faculty who have served the college with their time and efforts to allow for exceptional opportunities and experiences for Honors students. 

Tags: Honors College , Senior Honors Luncheon , Freshman Honors Colloquium , Distinguished Honors Faculty Award , faculty , Alumni , Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement , honors work

Honors College

Senior Honors students look to the stage as Provost Melody Tankersley addresses them at the 2023 Senior Honors Luncheon.

A RECAP: The 37th Annual Senior Honors Luncheon

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, the Kent State University Honors College recognized graduating seniors at its annual Senior Honors Luncheon. This event congratulated Honors College members for their upcoming graduations in the spring, summer, and fall of 2023. Seniors were able to unwind as they met with staff and alumni to applaud their accomplishments. Attendees of the luncheon also heard from Denise Harrison, recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Honors Faculty Award and Gary F. Bengier, recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Honors Alumni Award.

Tags: Honors College , Alumni , Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement , Honors Leadership Academy , Senior Honors Thesis/Project , Senior Honors Luncheon , Distinguished Honors Faculty Award , Distinguished Honors Alumni Award

Honors College

Back Campus, Library in the distance

WINNER OF THE DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD GIVES THANKS TO HONORS COLLEGE

Each year, the Honors College recognizes one faculty member for their hard work and dedication to the Honors College and its students. With so many faculty that do so much for the students, it can be difficult to choose one winner. William “Bill” Morris was selected as this year’s winner of the Dist…

Tags: Honors College , Distinguished Honors Faculty Award , Freshman Honors Colloquium , Senior Honors Luncheon , English , First Generation

Honors College

View Overlooking Manchester Field

HONORS COLLEGE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD WINNER EXPRESSES GRATITUDE FOR RECOGNITION

Hundreds of students graduate from Kent State University’s Honors College and continue their legacy doing exceptional work in their field. During Kent State’s annual Senior Honors Luncheon, an alum of the Honors College is recognized for their impact each year. This year, Lisa Dunick has been recogn…

Tags: Honors College , Distinguished Honors Alumni Award , Alumni , Stopher Hall , Commuters , Senior Honors Luncheon , English

Honors College

Outside view of Johnson Hall and announcement of 35th annual Senior Honors Recognition Ceremony.

Honors College Celebrates Graduating Seniors with Virtual Ceremony

This past weekend, on Saturday, April 3, the Honors College hosted its annual Senior Honors Recognition Ceremony for graduating Honors College seniors. In years past, the event has been an in-person luncheon, to which seniors bring their friends or families to celebrate their success in the Honors College. This spring, in light of the pandemic, the ceremony was entirely virtual. The event was introduced and hosted by the Dean of the Honors College, Dr. Alison Smith, and throughout the ceremony, all Honors College staff members congratulated graduating honors students on their accomplishments. Provost Melody Tankersley congratulated seniors, saying they have “made a mark on Kent State that will continue.” 

Tags: Senior Honors Luncheon , Distinguished Honors Faculty Award , Distinguished Honors Alumni Award , Dean Alison Smith , Melody Tankersley

Honors College

Decorative "K" fixture on the Kent campus.

Jessie Maisano Recognized as Honors College 2021 Distinguished Alumnus Award Winner

Jessie Maisano graduated in 1994 from Kent State University’s Honors College with her bachelor’s degree in Geology.   Maisano started her time at Kent State University as a Fashion Merchandising major, but once she met Honors College professor, Don Palmer, she was inspired to change her m…

Tags: Department of Earth Sciences , Distinguished Honors Alumni Award , Senior Honors Thesis/Project , Portz Scholar , Senior Honors Luncheon

Honors College

Panoramic view of the Lefton Esplanade and the Wick Poetry Center.

Honors College Graduate Named 2021 Distinguished Honors Faculty Award Winner

Charlie Malone, ’02 and ’04, has been announced as the 2021 Distinguished Honors Faculty Award Recipient. The announcement came during an April 3rd virtual celebration of the ‘2021 Senior Honors Recognition Ceremony’, which applauded the Honors College’s spring, summer and fall 2021 graduating senio…

Tags: Wick Poetry Center , Distinguished Honors Faculty Award , Department of English , Freshman Honors Colloquium , Brainchild , Senior Honors Luncheon

Honors College