Earlier this month, the Kent State University Twinsburg Academic Center (TAC) held a public open house to invite alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students, business leaders and members of the community to share in the celebration recognizing 10 years of serving the region at that location.
The TAC’s opening in 2012 enhanced Kent State’s 32-year history of serving the Twinsburg area. It was an important event in the university’s enduring commitment to making higher education accessible, affordable and relevant to local communities and the people who work in them.
10,000+ students
Dean and Chief Administrative Officer for TAC, Angela Spalsbury, Ph.D., kicked off the celebration with an address and then introduced visiting VIPS who spoke at the event. She noted that since the building opened in 2012 they have had more than 10,000 students pass through, taking 3,300 courses. The center has also had 744 nursing graduates.
Among the speakers was Don Booth, a retired HR administrator for the Chrysler Co., who had worked at the company’s Twinsburg stamping plant. In 1990, Kent State’s Geauga Campus began offering workforce development classes on-site at the plant. As the demand for courses grew, Kent State Geauga expanded to a second location at the “Old School,” near the intersection of Ohio routes 91 and 82.
One of the instructors from that “Old School,” Jay Jahangiri, (known as “Dr. Jay"), also spoke, sharing memories of his experience teaching mathematics to the workers at the plant. He remembered that he had learned much from his students while he was, in turn, teaching them. Other retired instructors in attendance included Sr. Mary Theresa Sharp and Dr. Karen Hansen.
‘A better opportunity’ for the community
Members of the advisory board in attendance included Twinsburg Schools Superintendent Kathi Powers; Rich Frenchie, chair of Kent State University at Geauga’s advisory board; and Sheila WillIiams, who chairs the advisory board for the TAC.
Williams said “Twenty plus, 30 plus years ago, that’s what brought Kent State to Twinsburg: Workforce Development – to give people a better opportunity.”
“I’m proud to be a part of it. I’ve been a student, an advocate for the city, a board member and I’m always talking about the opportunities afforded to our students, and other students, here in Twinsburg.”
Special recognition of achievement
Twinsburg Mayor Sam Scaffide, who was a city councilman when he attended the groundbreaking for the current facility 10 years ago, presented the center with a certificate from the mayor’s office, the residents and all the administration that read “Congratulations on Celebrating the 10-Year Anniversary of the Kent State University Twinsburg Academic Center. Your commitment and investment in this city does not go unnoticed.”
Also in attendance was a representative from U.S. 14th District Rep. David P. Joyce’s office. Community Relations Director Tom Queen presented a Certificate of Congressional Recognition and Achievement from the congressman’s office. Queen commented on how beautiful the building was, and said, “But the most beautiful thing about this building is the students who are leaving. The many, many thousands of students who have come through these halls and who are going to go out and positively affect their own lives, their families, their communities.”
After the speeches, attendees were invited to tour the center and enjoy an anniversary cake with other refreshments.
To learn more about Kent State’s Twinsburg Academic Center and everything it offers for the community, visit: https://www.kent.edu/geauga/twinsburg-academic-center.
A video recording of the event can be viewed here: https://mycommunityfocus.app/programs/ksu10thanniversary_1-e8161e?categoryId=67451.