Commencement Surprise

MISSION: GRADUATION SURPRISE

When Jayrelis Capeles walked across the stage at Kent State University this spring, she was already brimming with emotion. She had just earned not one, but two degrees — in psychology and sociology — and was celebrating the end of her college journey that began in 2021.

But the most unforgettable moment wasn’t the walk or the tassel turn.

Read the story

  • A size 15E purple cleat with deep personal meaning now sits on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, part of the newly unveiled Class of 2025 exhibit that includes artifacts from Antonio Gates’ remarkable journey from Kent State basketball star to NFL legend.

  • For all of her exemplary work, Theresa Yogi was recently awarded Kent State’s Distinguished Advising Award by University Advising and the Kent Academic Advising Support and Advising Association. Of her 13-year career, Yogi has spent seven-and-a-half years at Kent State’s Honors College.

  • Sarah Spinner Liska, director of the Kent State University Museum, has been honored with the inaugural Artist Empowerment Award from Summit ArtSpace, recognizing her outstanding work in expanding access to the arts and championing inclusive creative spaces.

Today's Stories

 

In a Flash

Catch a glimpse of Kent State University through the lenses of storytellers across campus.

We hope you enjoy these unique impressions of life at Kent State!

Want to see one of YOUR photos in “IN A FLASH?” Submit your Kent State-related photos to InAFlash@kent.edu and you may see them in a future Kent State Today post. Please frame photos horizontally and include a brief description of what’s happening in the photo along with when and where it was taken.

University News

  • In May, Kent State University observes two historic institutional anniversaries, the first is of their founding as a school and the second is of the college being established as a university. 

  • Brother Rogério Renato Mateucci, Rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), delivered a deeply moving speech that challenged graduates to find meaning through courage and compassion.

     

  • Join us on the Kent State ToddCast as President Todd Diacon revisits a conversation with Professor Emeritus Jerry M. Lewis, Ph.D.

Student Life

  • Kent State graduate student Lauren Paterson and former teacher Marc Myers were recently featured on WBUR’s ‘Here and Now’ sharing their work together on The Legacy Project.

  • Julian Grimes, a graduating senior and president of Black United Students (BUS), delivered an impassioned speech connecting the historical struggle for civil rights to current challenges facing higher education. 

  • To better serve you through our vast resources and knowledgeable librarians, Kent State University Libraries will join other OhioLINK institutions in replacing the KentLINK platform with a new library system that will offer a host of benefits to support 21st-century teaching, learning and research. 

Kent State Works

Recent Media

 Why International Students Choose Kent State

 

WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA 
with Marcello Fantoni 

Global Reach

Research

  • Evan Dan, a junior at Solon High School who is enrolled in College Credit Plus (CCP) at Kent State University, received the “Best Paper Award” at the second International Conference on AI-Health for his research paper.

  • A star-studded lineup of scientists returned to Kent State University April 25-26 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute.

  • Providing and maintaining a sustainable, bee-friendly environment has earned Kent State a Bee Campus USA certification. Our healthy on-campus pollinators not only help the environment but also provide opportunities for learning and community engagement. 

Profiles

  • Ethelyn VonHelmers Fitzsimmons of Mantua, who served as a secretary for three Kent State presidents, will celebrate her 110th birthday on May 17.

  • As part of  Kent State’s 55-Year Commemoration of May 4, 1970, Mahli Mechenbier, a senior lecturer at Kent State University at Geauga's Twinsburg Academic Center will present “Operation: Babylift: A 50-Year Retrospective and Personal History” on May 3 at 1 p.m. with her father, retired Maj. General Ed Mechenbier. Mahli Mechenbier was one of the children from Vietnam the U.S. Government brought to the United States for adoption by American families by  after Saigon was overun by advancing Viet Cong troops in 1972. 

  • Ivory Kendrick, the newly elected president of the University Student Government, spoke his destiny into existence last year when he set his sights on leading the organization. Now, Kendrick is ready to hit the ground running.

Arts & Community

Sports