Success Story

Advancing the legacy of May 4, 1970, a tragic day when the Ohio National Guard fired on Kent State University students during an anti-war protest on campus, killing four students, wounding nine students and forever changing the lives of countless others, the university will hold its annual commemoration on May 3-4.

“The Power of Our Voices” theme will continue to inspire this year’s May 4 Commemoration events and programming that will focus on tying May 4 and the anti-war movement of 1970 to emerging movements today. The annual commemoration allows members of the Kent State community and the public to gather in remembrance of May 4, 1970, share memories, reconnect with old friends and pass on lessons learned from the tragedy to new generations of students so they inquire, learn and reflect upon the history that occurred on their campus.

“In returning to in-person commemorations last year, we saw a significant increase in the number of students participating in the Candlelight Vigil and in commemoration events,” said Roseann “Chic” Canfora, Ph.D., an eyewitness and survivor of May 4, 1970. “Our goal this year is to celebrate a new era of collaboration around May 4 remembrance, one that embraces the opportunity to elevate the voices of today’s students and make May 4 meaningful to student activists now and in the future.”

Canfora serves as Professional-in-Residence in Kent State’s School of Media and Journalism and works collaboratively with the Office of the President and the May 4 Presidential Advisory Committee in planning the university’s May 4 Commemoration as chair of the May 4 Commemoration Committee.

This year’s commemoration events include:

Wednesday, May 3

At 11:30 a.m., Kent State will hold the Jerry M. Lewis May 4 Lecture Series. Now in its second year, the lecture and luncheon will take place in the Kent Student Center Ballroom and feature Erica Eckert, Ph.D., assistant dean for assessment and accreditation and assistant professor in the College of Education, Health and Human Services, who will present “Where Were the Administrators? A Student Affairs Perspective on May 4, 1970.” This ticketed event is free and open to the public. Tickets will be available for download on April 1.

At 6 p.m., a special screening of the film “Young Plato” will take place, followed by a panel discussion with Neasa Ní Chianáin, director; David Rane, producer; and Kevin McArevey, headmaster. According to the film’s website, “‘Young Plato’ charts the dream of Elvis-loving school headmaster Kevin McArevey – a maverick who is determined to change the fortunes of an inner-city community plagued by urban decay, sectarian aggression, poverty and drugs. The all-boys primary school in post-conflict Belfast, Northern Ireland, becomes a hot house for thinking and questioning, as the headmaster encourages the children to see beyond the boundaries and limitations of their community, and sends his young wards home each day armed with the wisdom of the ancient Greek philosophers. The boys challenge their school-friends, parents and neighbors to find alternatives to violence and prejudice, and to challenge the mythologies of war.” This ticketed event is free and open to the public. Tickets will be available for download on April 1.

The annual Candlelight Walk and Vigil will begin at 11 p.m. This cornerstone of the commemoration began in 1971. There will be food before the Candlelight Walk on the Commons and in the Prentice Hall parking lot, and there will be an online signup for the Candlelight Vigil.

Thursday, May 4

The campus community and visitors will gather at noon on the May 4 site at the Kent State Commons (rain location: tent on Manchester Field) to commemorate the moment that gunfire erupted 53 years ago. The commemoration will include a performance by the Kent Chorale, featured remarks from university students and administrators, the ringing of the Victory Bell and a moment of silence at 12:24 p.m.

The commemoration remembers those killed – Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer and William Schroeder – and those wounded – Alan Canfora, John Cleary, Thomas Grace, Dean Kahler, Joseph Lewis, Donald Mackenzie, James Russell, Robert Stamps and Douglas Wrentmore – on May 4, 1970. The university will also acknowledge key May 4 contributors who have died this past year.

Music on the Commons will precede the commemoration at 11 a.m. and then follow at the end of the event.

Kent State University student organizations will host a variety of May 4-related programs. Details are forthcoming and will be listed on the May 4 Events Calendar.

Additional Commemoration Information

For the latest information about the commemoration and a complete list of events to honor and remember May 4, 1970, visit www.kent.edu/may4.

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Photo Captions:
May 4 Commemoration:
Kent State University community members and visitors gather on the Kent State Commons for the annual May 4 Commemoration to honor those who were killed and wounded on May 4, 1970.

Annual Candlelight Walk and Vigil:
Members of the Kent State University community participate in the annual Candlelight Walk and Vigil.

Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595

The Kent State University alumni family grew by more than 2,500 new graduates as the university held its fall Commencement ceremonies. The accomplishments of the Fall Class of 2022 were recognized with in-person ceremonies for all colleges and degrees on Dec. 17. The two fall Commencement ceremonies were livestreamed at www.kent.edu/commencement.

In total, 2,571 degrees were conferred this fall, consisting of 613 associate degrees, 1,478 bachelor’s degrees, 425 master’s degrees, 52 doctoral degrees and three educational specialist degrees.

More than 1,200 of the graduating students were expected to participate in the Commencement ceremonies.

Commencement attendees and students heard from Kent State President Todd Diacon and Senior Vice President and Provost Melody Tankersley. Graduating students crossed the stage and had their names announced during the ceremonies for all colleges and degrees on the Kent Campus at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

To participate in the in-person Commencement, graduating students had to complete their ceremony RSVP by the end of October. Each graduating student who registered has tickets for their ceremony guests to attend. 

Additional Information About Fall Commencement

For more information about Kent State’s fall Commencement ceremonies, including a schedule, visit www.kent.edu/commencement.

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Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595

This November, members of the Kent State University community joined together to shine their light on philanthropy. During the November campaign, Kent State’s Giving Tuesday raised $3.6 million, marking the sixth year it has brought in more than $1 million to support scholarships and programs across Kent State’s eight-campus system. This included $1.7 million from legacy gifts, $160,000 from Kent State University Foundation matching gifts and $1.7 million from outright gifts and matches.

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This year, Kent State’s most generous annual tradition featured a record 53 funds, each with their own matching funds made available through donor support. Alumni, donors, friends, faculty and staff had the opportunity to give to the area that matters most to them, including scholarships, education abroad, athletics, emergency funds and more.

The Kent State University Foundation provided $160,000 and members of Kent State’s volunteer boards – the Board of Trustees, the Kent State University Foundation Board and the Alumni Association Board – donated another $65,000 in matching gifts, all of which made the campaign’s innovative giving incentives possible. On Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, gifts up to $1,000 to any Kent State University Foundation fund were matched one-to-one until the matching funds were exhausted. The foundation’s funds also supported Triple Your Gift Tuesday on Nov. 1 as well as $500 participation boosts that were awarded to featured funds for every 20 unique donors who gave $25 or more.

“Our community has once again proved that at Kent State, what sets us apart is how we come together,” said Valoree Vargo, vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement at Kent State and CEO of the Kent State University Foundation. “Each gift made throughout this campaign has been doubled or tripled because of our matching gift incentives, and the impact this generosity will have on our students, our campuses and our programs is significant and immediate. We are deeply grateful for every dollar and every donor.”

During Donor/Dollar Challenge Week from Nov. 15-22, the two leading featured funds each received an extra $2,500 toward their goal: the Emergency Relief Fund at Kent State University at Stark for raising the most dollars and the First-Generation Student Support Fund for acquiring the most unique donors during the challenge. And for the first time, the second- and third-place winners in both categories were awarded an additional $1,000 and $500, respectively.

A special addition to the 2022 Giving Tuesday campaign was a student-led volunteer opportunity with the Flashes Fighting Hunger initiative. An anonymous donor pledged to match student volunteer hours in November with financial support for the program’s Giving Tuesday featured fund.

“I really want to impact those who are struggling on my campus and in my community,” explained Nathan Ritchey, a senior mathematics and neuroscience major at Kent State who plans to graduate in 2023. “No person should be struggling to find food or to afford food, so I think that this gives me the opportunity to really fight these challenges in our community. I think this hour-for-hour matching program will make an enormous difference.” 

Throughout the month, students completed 304 volunteer hours with Flashes Fighting Hunger and collected a total of 1,053 pounds of food and toiletry items for those in need.

“We were thrilled to see more students get involved in our most generous annual tradition this year through the Flashes Fighting Hunger initiative,” said Danielle Hupp, Kent State’s senior associate director of communications and special giving initiatives. “Whether monetarily or through volunteering time and talent, we celebrate all of the ways our community makes an impact. Flashes give back. It’s who we are and what we do.” 

Out of all the featured funds, the Kent State Wrestling Enhancement Fund earned the most donations, raising more than $58,000 to broaden the program’s travel opportunities and expand its competition footprint from a regional to a national level. 

As Giving Tuesday 2022 comes to a close, Kent State students and President Todd Diacon have a special message of thanks for Golden Flashes available at www.kent.edu/givingtuesday.  

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Media Contacts:
Leigh Greenfelder, lgreenfe@kent.edu, 330-672-7108 
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595

Kent State University’s Class of 2026 has arrived on the Kent Campus in strong numbers – 4,251 to be exact – an increase of nearly 7% over the previous year, the largest class since before the pandemic and the eighth largest incoming class in the university’s 112-year history. 

These newest Golden Flashes arrive as high achievers, boasting an outstanding GPA of 3.5 and hailing from 39 states, Washington, D.C., and 31 countries.

“Our entire student body is ready to thrive with a more normal, pre-pandemic feel to the college experience, and our first-year students have arrived with tremendous energy and a focus on making the most of their time here at Kent State,” said Kent State President Todd Diacon. “Our newest students complete our Golden Flashes family, and I applaud our entire enrollment strategy team with working so hard to share the Kent State story.” 

One in three students (34%) in the freshman class is a first-generation student, and nearly one in five (a record 19%) is underrepresented, which includes African American, Hispanic, Native American and multiracial students. 

One in seven students is a member of the largest incoming group of new students ever to be accepted into Kent State’s Honors College. This program enrolls students who have demonstrated the potential for significant academic and creative ability in high school by taking rigorous coursework such as AP, IB, honors or college credit, along with other activities and leadership experiences.

Kent State’s first-year class also includes 93 international students, more than double the previous year. These students are part of a 19% increase in the total number of international students now calling the Kent Campus home; this includes nearly 1,000 graduate students, a stunning 43% increase from the previous year.

“The world has taken notice of the outstanding educational opportunities Kent State has to offer,” said Sean Broghammer, Ph.D., Kent State’s vice president for enrollment management. “Our Office of Global Education has successfully shared the good news around the globe that we have much to offer for students seeking a degree in the United States.”

Diacon continues to emphasize Kent State’s commitment to graduating students as evident in the Kent Campus’ graduation rate, which reached 65.8% last year, the second highest rate since 2000.

Kent State’s strong retention (78.5%) of returning students to the Kent Campus can be credited in part to the university’s award-winning student support services designed to help students every step of the way – from their first day on campus through graduation. Enrollment is 25,007 at the Kent Campus and reaches 33,209 when including the entire eight-campus system. Altogether, the university’s current enrollment boasts students from all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and nearly 100 countries.
 
Kent State’s eight campuses are located in Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Kent, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas.
 
For more information about Kent State, visit www.kent.edu.

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Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595

Kent State University is one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to a recent survey.

For the 11th time, Kent State has been named a “Great College to Work For,” which recognizes the colleges that get top ratings from their employees regarding workplace practices and policies. Kent State is one of only 68 colleges and universities to receive the 2022 designation by the Great Colleges to Work For program, one of the largest and most respected workplace recognition programs in the country.

Kent State is the only Ohio public university to receive the 2022 “Great Colleges to Work For” designation. Other large four-year universities (with 10,000 or more students) rated along with Kent State include Mississippi State University, Texas Tech University and the University of Kentucky. Kent State is also one of only three Ohio institutions to receive the honor, joined by Cuyahoga Community College and Mount St. Joseph University. 

“Being named a ‘Great College to Work For’ is a tremendous honor, and to achieve this recognition 11 times is impressive,” Kent State President Todd Diacon said. “I’d like to thank our faculty and staff for the contributions they make each day and for rating Kent State so highly as a great place to work.”

Kent State won honors in five categories this year: Compensation and Benefits; Confidence in Senior Leadership; Shared Governance; Faculty Experience; and Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging.

The Great Colleges to Work For survey results, which are posted online and included in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are based on survey results from about 49,000 faculty and staff at 212 colleges and universities. For 2022, 46 four-year institutions and 22 two-year institutions are being recognized as “Great Colleges to Work For.”

The 2022 survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institution questionnaire that captured employment data and workplace policies from each institution and a survey administered to faculty, administration and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback.

The 2022 “Great Colleges to Work For” designation is the latest honor Kent State has received for being a top employer. Kent State was recently named the No. 3 top employer in Ohio for 2022 and a best employer for women in the nation for 2021.

Kent State employs about 5,000 full- and part-time employees across its eight-campus footprint.

For more information about the Great Colleges to Work For program and to view all the recognized institutions, visit GreatCollegesProgram.com and GreatCollegesList.com. ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the survey and analyzed the results.

For more information about Kent State, visit www.kent.edu. 

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Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595

Kent State University continues to demonstrate its strength as an academic institution with its inclusion on several lists in the new 2022-2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings.

U.S. News has again named Kent State among the Top Public Schools in the nation in the newly released rankings. Kent State ranks No. 107 among public institutions in the nation and is the highest-ranked institution in northern Ohio on the list. 

“These rankings confirm what we know and experience every day – that Kent State is a top public school and a best national university,” said Kent State President Todd Diacon. “Thanks go out to our dedicated faculty and staff who are committed to access, student success and completion so our students can graduate, live successful, satisfying lives and become engaged citizens.”

In addition to being recognized on the Top Public Schools list, Kent State is included on the Best National Universities list in the coveted top tier, moving up one spot to No. 212 among all national public and private institutions compared to last year. Kent State is the highest-ranked institution in northern Ohio on the prestigious Best National Universities list and is one of only seven Ohio public universities to make the list.

Kent State is also recognized on several lists in the 2022-2023 Best Colleges edition. Kent State is the highest-ranked public institution in northern Ohio on the Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs list. Kent State comes in the top 100, ranking at No. 84, among public institutions in the nation. For this list, which debuted last year, Kent State moved up an impressive 26 spots among public universities compared to last year’s list.

Kent State’s academic programs are also recognized on the Best Undergraduate Business Programs list (the highest-ranked public institution in Northeast Ohio) and the Best Undergraduate Computer Science Programs list (the highest-ranked public institution in northern Ohio).

Among national universities, Kent State is also included on the Best Colleges for Veterans list (the highest-ranked university in northern Ohio), which provides data on top-ranked schools that make pursuing a college education more affordable for veterans and active-duty service members; the Top Performers on Social Mobility list, which measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants; the Best Value Schools list (the highest-ranked institution in northern Ohio), which helps determine which colleges and universities offer the best value for students that factors academic quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid; and the Economic Diversity list (the only Ohio institution), which recognizes 46 institutions and provides the percentages of undergraduates receiving federal Pell Grants (for Kent State, the percentage of undergraduates receiving federal Pell Grants in fall 2021 is 57%).

Kent State’s impressive rankings and strong reputation help attract prospective students to visit campus and experience the university’s welcoming community firsthand.

This latest edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings evaluates more than 1,450 colleges and universities on up to 17 measures of academic quality. For more information about the U.S. News 2022-2023 Best Colleges rankings, visit www.usnews.com/colleges. 

For more information about Kent State, visit www.kent.edu.

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Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595

Partnership will support domestic industry growth 

Kent State University, in response to a request from Intel^®, will lead a network that includes 13 other Ohio higher education institutions now poised to prepare the workforce to make the small electronic devices that play a large role in our everyday lives.

From computers and cellphones, cars, bank ATMS and more, semiconductors and other microelectronics are central to the operations of the items that fuel daily living in the United States.

The institutions will develop innovative solutions to best support Intel coming to Ohio to further the advanced semiconductor and microelectronics industry and address the industry’s workforce needs.  

“Kent State is well suited to answer Intel’s charge to help the region and the nation meet key technology challenges, such as addressing the demand for semiconductors,” said Kent State President Todd Diacon. “This grant presents us with a great opportunity to empower this network of academic institutions to take the lead in the future of microelectronics in ways that tangibly advance the workforce.”

Kent State is among 80 Ohio colleges and universities whose work in semiconductor research and education will be part of the Intel Semiconductor Education and Research Program for Ohio. The grant recipients were announced Friday, Sept. 9, as part of Intel’s groundbreaking ceremony for its leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing plant in New Albany, Ohio. President Joe Biden, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, and state and local officials were scheduled to participate in the event.

Intel’s Semiconductor Education and Research Program for Ohio was announced in March as part of the company’s pledge to invest $100 million in education and research collaborations with universities, community colleges and technical educators in Ohio and across the U.S. The program is designed to help build a pipeline of talent and bolster research programs. Of its $100 million investment, Intel designated $50 million specifically to Ohio colleges and universities.  
 
Eight proposals were selected from leading Ohio institutions, including Kent State. Each proposal includes collaborative efforts with other higher education institutions in Ohio, representing more than 80 institutions across the state. The eight leading institutions will receive $17.7 million in funding over a three-year period. Intel expects this first iteration of the program to produce nearly 9,000 graduates for the industry and provide more than 2,300 scholarships over three years helping diversify the talent pipeline.

Kent State Leads the Way

The partnership led by Kent State plans to scale existing educational opportunities, develop new experiential curricula, and establish or refine pathways for learners seeking to enter, reskill or upskill in areas relevant to semiconductor fabrication. These strengths can be amplified through Kent State’s collaboration with its 13 partner institutions to address the immediate and future workforce needs of Intel and its suppliers.

“Intel is excited to be in Ohio, the new Silicon Heartland and home to what will be one of our most sophisticated semiconductor manufacturing plants in the world,” said Jim Evers, Intel Vice President and Ohio General Manager. “Higher education plays a key role in the future success of our industry. We’re proud to support these institutions from every corner of the state as they work to build the workforce of tomorrow.”   

Using a three-year, $1.1 million grant from Intel, Kent State will lead the group’s focus via its foundation of high-quality facilities, including an active research and teaching cleanroom, located on the Kent Campus, and the university’s strong history of access and success for a diverse set of learners. Kent State’s ABET-accredited associate degree program in electrical/electronic engineering technology directly aligns with Intel’s major workforce needs. Several other technology-based programs via Kent State and partner institutions directly align. Leveraging the strength of the partner network and Kent State’s own engineering bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a full complement of educational opportunities will be available to learners throughout Ohio. 

Joining the Kent State network are:

• Baldwin Wallace University
• Cuyahoga Community College
• Hiram College
• John Carroll University
• Lake Erie College
• Lakeland Community College
• Lorain County Community College
• Malone University
• Mount Vernon Nazarene University
• Muskingum University
• Notre Dame College
• Walsh University
• Wilberforce University

Partner institutions will leverage existing research, curricular and experiential learning assets, capabilities and expertise within the region and will grow the collective capacity to support the domestic growth of robust semiconductor and microelectronics innovation and supply chain ecosystems. 

To learn more about Intel’s innovations, go to newsroom.intel.com and intel.com. 

For more information about Kent State, visit www.kent.edu/cats/intel. 

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Photo Caption:
Intel launched 12th Gen Intel Core processors at CES 2022. (Credit: Intel Corporation)

Media Contact:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595

Partnership will support domestic industry growth 

Kent State University, in response to a request from Intel^®, will lead a network that includes 13 other Ohio higher education institutions now poised to prepare the workforce to make the small electronic devices that play a large role in our everyday lives.

From computers and cellphones, cars, bank ATMS and more, semiconductors and other microelectronics are central to the operations of the items that fuel daily living in the United States.

The institutions will develop innovative solutions to best support Intel coming to Ohio to further the advanced semiconductor and microelectronics industry and address the industry’s workforce needs.  

“Kent State is well suited to answer Intel’s charge to help the region and the nation meet key technology challenges, such as addressing the demand for semiconductors,” said Kent State President Todd Diacon. “This grant presents us with a great opportunity to empower this network of academic institutions to take the lead in the future of microelectronics in ways that tangibly advance the workforce.”

Kent State is among 80 Ohio colleges and universities whose work in semiconductor research and education will be part of the Intel Semiconductor Education and Research Program for Ohio. The grant recipients were announced Friday, Sept. 9, as part of Intel’s groundbreaking ceremony for its leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing plant in New Albany, Ohio. President Joe Biden, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, and state and local officials were scheduled to participate in the event.

Intel’s Semiconductor Education and Research Program for Ohio was announced in March as part of the company’s pledge to invest $100 million in education and research collaborations with universities, community colleges and technical educators in Ohio and across the U.S. The program is designed to help build a pipeline of talent and bolster research programs. Of its $100 million investment, Intel designated $50 million specifically to Ohio colleges and universities.  
 
Eight proposals were selected from leading Ohio institutions, including Kent State. Each proposal includes collaborative efforts with other higher education institutions in Ohio, representing more than 80 institutions across the state. The eight leading institutions will receive $17.7 million in funding over a three-year period. Intel expects this first iteration of the program to produce nearly 9,000 graduates for the industry and provide more than 2,300 scholarships over three years helping diversify the talent pipeline.

Kent State Leads the Way

The partnership led by Kent State plans to scale existing educational opportunities, develop new experiential curricula, and establish or refine pathways for learners seeking to enter, reskill or upskill in areas relevant to semiconductor fabrication. These strengths can be amplified through Kent State’s collaboration with its 13 partner institutions to address the immediate and future workforce needs of Intel and its suppliers.

“Intel is excited to be in Ohio, the new Silicon Heartland and home to what will be one of our most sophisticated semiconductor manufacturing plants in the world,” said Jim Evers, Intel Vice President and Ohio General Manager. “Higher education plays a key role in the future success of our industry. We’re proud to support these institutions from every corner of the state as they work to build the workforce of tomorrow.”   

Using a three-year, $1.1 million grant from Intel, Kent State will lead the group’s focus via its foundation of high-quality facilities, including an active research and teaching cleanroom, located on the Kent Campus, and the university’s strong history of access and success for a diverse set of learners. Kent State’s ABET-accredited associate degree program in electrical/electronic engineering technology directly aligns with Intel’s major workforce needs. Several other technology-based programs via Kent State and partner institutions directly align. Leveraging the strength of the partner network and Kent State’s own engineering bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a full complement of educational opportunities will be available to learners throughout Ohio. 

Joining the Kent State network are:

• Baldwin Wallace University
• Cuyahoga Community College
• Hiram College
• John Carroll University
• Lake Erie College
• Lakeland Community College
• Lorain County Community College
• Malone University
• Mount Vernon Nazarene University
• Muskingum University
• Notre Dame College
• Walsh University
• Wilberforce University

Partner institutions will leverage existing research, curricular and experiential learning assets, capabilities and expertise within the region and will grow the collective capacity to support the domestic growth of robust semiconductor and microelectronics innovation and supply chain ecosystems. 

To learn more about Intel’s innovations, go to newsroom.intel.com and intel.com. 

For more information about Kent State, visit www.kent.edu. 

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Photo Caption:
Intel launched 12th Gen Intel Core processors at CES 2022. (Credit: Intel Corporation)

Media Contact:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595

Record-breaking fundraising year for university includes two largest gifts in Kent State history

Kent State University launched the public phase of its $350 million Forever Brighter comprehensive fundraising campaign in October 2021, and during the first year of the public campaign, a record-breaking $77.6 million was raised. This philanthropic feat was made possible with the support of 10,687 donors, 3,753 of whom made a gift to Kent State for the first time. The gifts will support university programs and its students through scholarships, capital projects, and new academic programs and initiatives. Within these areas are specific projects, programs and initiatives to enhance student experiences and elevate Kent State’s reputation as a leader in student support, athletics, research and innovation. 

“I can’t express how moved I am by the generosity of our incredible donors,” Kent State President Todd Diacon said. “Not only did we receive the two largest gifts in Kent State history, but more than 10,000 donors contributed to our students’ success this year – and the commitment our supporters show for our students and the future of the university is certainly something to celebrate.”

Kent State received its largest single gift of $10 million from The Podiatry Foundation to support the College of Podiatric Medicine during the 2021 Fall Semester, and within one month, a significantly larger gift was also announced. The now largest single gift in university history made by Ambassador Edward F. Crawford and family enabled construction for the new Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship building, named Crawford Hall. Additionally, Kent State received 10 gifts of $1 million or more. 

Kent State’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics also achieved an unprecedented level of fundraising success during Fiscal Year 2022. With more than 2,300 donors and more than $3.6 million raised, this record-breaking support offers scholarship assistance to more than 400 student-athletes. Kent State Athletics also secured six philanthropic gifts to name athletics facilities across the Kent Campus. 

The 2021 Giving Tuesday campaign was a driving force in Kent State’s philanthropic success this past fiscal year, bringing in $7.7 million. The university has been participating in Giving Tuesday, a global fundraising movement, for the past seven years, and in that time, it has been coined Kent State’s most generous annual tradition. Each year, donors await special giving incentives announced each Tuesday in November for opportunities to make the impact of their gift go further. 

When the public phase of the Forever Brighter campaign launched in October 2021, 75% of the total goal was met. Just eight months later, Kent State ended the fiscal year having achieved 94% of its $350 million campaign goal, with the university’s students at the heart of this philanthropic success. 

“Raising scholarship support is a top priority of the Forever Brighter campaign,” said Valoree Vargo, Kent State’s vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement and CEO of the Kent State University Foundation. “It is essential for students who require financial support to stay enrolled and on track to graduation, as well as recognition for outstanding academic performance. Our students are the best and brightest, and scholarships ensure they can pursue their passions and dreams while at Kent State – and for years to come.”  

To learn more about Kent State’s Forever Brighter comprehensive fundraising campaign, visit www.kent.edu/foreverbrighter.

About Kent State University

Kent State University is the highest-ranked public university in northern Ohio on the Top Public Schools and Best National Universities lists by U.S. News & World Report. Kent State also holds the esteemed distinction of being one of only five institutions in Ohio to be recognized as a top-tier research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. With eight campuses spanning Northeast Ohio, a College of Podiatric Medicine, a Twinsburg Academic Center and academic sites in major world cities, such as New York City, Geneva and Florence, Kent State is one of Ohio’s leading public universities and a major educational, economic and cultural resource far beyond the Northeast Ohio region it has served since 1910. Kent State is a national leader in award-winning student support services to graduate students. The student body comprises about 35,000 students, including 1,370 international students from nearly 100 countries, and the worldwide alumni family exceeds 268,000. The addition of new learning environments from the sciences to the arts and the development of exciting new academic programs characterize Kent State’s focus on transformational educational experiences. 
 
For more information about Kent State, visit www.kent.edu. 

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Media Contact:
Leigh Greenfelder, lgreenfe@kent.edu, 330-672-7108

Foremost authority on LGBTQ+ higher education measures safety, inclusiveness and resources on campuses for LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff

For a third consecutive year, Kent State University has been selected as one the nation’s top universities for LGBTQ+ students for creating a safe, welcoming environment for students, faculty and staff, according to Campus Pride, a leading resource for LGBTQ+ leadership development, diversity inclusion and advocacy within higher education. 

Kent State joins only one other Ohio university on the 2022 list of 40 four-year institutions named to Campus Pride’s annual Best of the Best Colleges and Universities for LGBTQ+ students in the United States. Kent State is the only institution in northern Ohio to receive the honor.

“Being named to this list indicates a continued commitment to serving the needs of our LGBTQ+ community here at Kent State,” said Lamar R. Hylton, Ph.D., senior vice president for student affairs at Kent State. “I am incredibly proud of the work emanating from the LGBTQ+ Center along with the work of our campus and community partners.”

Kent State’s LGBTQ+ Center connects students to valuable university and community resources and provides students with meaningful involvement and leadership opportunities. Some of those resources include the QUEST Mentorship Program, the LGBTQ Library, the LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund, the LGBTQ Studies minor, university counseling services, university legal services, the universal restroom map, the chosen name change process and gender-inclusive housing.

Campuses selected as Best of the Best have achieved 5 out of 5 stars on the Campus Pride Index, the definitive national benchmarking tool measuring LGBTQ-friendly policies, programs and practices. To earn a ranking of 5 out of 5 stars, campuses receive a percentage score from 90 to 100 based on their LGBTQ-inclusive policies, programs and practices. The methodology to determine this year’s Best of the Best list was based on an overall score of 93% or higher.

This is the third year in a row that Kent State has earned a perfect 5 out of 5 stars on the Campus Pride Index.

“Our commitment and advocacy for all LGBTQ+ students and allies creates a welcoming space and aligns with the university’s mission of an inclusive environment,” said Yvonna Washington-Greer, Kent State’s assistant vice president for equity, identity and success. “It will also provide motivation for us to maintain this standard for future Flashes.”

Kent State has a long history of LGBTQ support and action. PRIDE! Kent (formerly the Kent Gay Liberation Front) was founded in 1971 and is one of the oldest continually operating LGBTQ+ organizations in the nation. In 1972, Dolores Noll, Ph.D., became the first professor to teach a gay and lesbian course at Kent State. In 2001, Kent State became the first university in Ohio and one of a dozen LGBT Studies programs in the country. Kent State celebrated the grand opening of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Student Center, now called the LGBTQ+ Center, in 2010.

Campus Pride’s 2022 Best of the Best Colleges and Universities list is online at www.campuspride.org/2022bestofthebest. 

The Campus Pride Index full listing of LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities is available at www.campusprideindex.org. 

For more information about Kent State’s LGBTQ+ Center, visit www.kent.edu/lgbtq. 

View Channel 5's story on Kent State being named to the Best of the Best list. 

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Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595