Nationally Distinctive

Members of Black United Students (BUS) stand in front of the Administration building (currently Cartwright Hall) in silent-protest

Kent State’s Role in Black History Month Recognized

Mwatabu Okantah, professor and chair of the Department of Africana Studies, was recently featured on WKYC discussing how Black United Students helped turn Negro History Week into Black History Month in 1970, years before it became nationally recognized.  

Tags: Community & Society , Community Impact , Nationally Distinctive

Kent State Today

The first Poets for Science Gathering will take place at Kent State Nov. 12-14.

The Microscope and the Metaphor: The First Poets for Science Gathering Will Take Place at Kent State

Poets and scientists from across the country – including current U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze and other award-winning authors – will converge at Kent State University in November for the first-ever Poets for Science Gathering.

Tags: Arts & Culture , Community & Society , Nationally Distinctive , Wick Poetry Center

Kent State Today

Jesse Jackson at Kent State in May 1971.

IN A FLASH: Remembering Jesse Jackson at Kent State

Kent State University honors the memory of the Rev. Jesse Jackson and remembers his visits to our campuses over the years.

Tags: Black History Month , Black United Students , May 4 , Community & Society , Nationally Distinctive

Kent State Today

A snowy flight over the Kent State University Airport.

IN A FLASH: Up and Over the Snow!

Northeast Ohio’s unpredictable and sometimes extreme weather conditions provide excellent training scenarios for Kent State student pilots.

Tags: Nationally Distinctive , Student Life , Kent State University Airport , Aeronautics

Kent State Today

Jerry M Lewis standing in front of the May 4th site

Jerry M. Lewis, Kent State Professor Emeritus and Tireless May 4 Advocate, Dies at 88

Jerry M. Lewis, Ph.D., Kent State University Professor Emeritus of Sociology, who served as a faculty marshal during the May 4, 1970, campus shootings and later worked tirelessly to ensure that the legacy of May 4 would endure, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, at his home in Maine. He was 88.  

Tags: University News , May 4 , Nationally Distinctive

Kent State Today

Black History Month Banner

Celebrating Black History Month Where it Began

The Kent State University Black Alumni Chapter and Black United Students are sponsoring a day-long celebration in honor of Black History Month, which was founded at the Kent Campus.

Tags: Student Life , Community Impact , Nationally Distinctive

Kent State Today

Kent State Ensembles perform at 2026 OMEA conference

'A Big Deal:' Kent State Music Ensembles Performing at Statewide Conference

Kent State University’s Glauser School of Music is receiving statewide recognition as the Kent State Wind and Flute Ensembles were selected to perform at the 2025 Ohio Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference.  

Tags: Student Life , Nationally Distinctive , Arts & Culture

Kent State Today

Mahli Mechenbier and the snow version of her cat.

IN A FLASH: One Cool Cat

Hype, Kent State's feline answer to Bowling Green State University's athletics mascot, Pudge, was celebrated in a snow sculpture created by a Kent State instructor.

Tags: Kent State University at Geauga , faculty , Community & Society , Nationally Distinctive , Intercollegiate Athletics

Kent State Today

gavel on a table

Courtroom Ready: Mock Trial Team Takes the Stand

The Kent State University Mock Trial Team has only six months to learn about a fictional case before acting it out during its competition season. The team will head to Penn State University in mid-February to compete in the Regional Competition. These local and regional experiences provide students with the opportunity to test their skills against the best in the country while gaining a broader perspective on the legal field.

Tags: Student Life , Nationally Distinctive , Community & Society

Kent State Today

A snow-covered sculpture on Front Campus.

IN A FLASH: Dashing Through The Snow

Significant snow accumulation early last week created serene scenes across campus as well as some frosty fun for Kent State students.

Tags: Nationally Distinctive , Student Life , Spring Semester

Kent State Today