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John and Fonda Elliot Create New Scholarship Program With $1 Million Gift to Kent State

John Elliot, a 1970 �鶹���� graduate, and his wife, Fonda, have created The Elliot Scholars program at Kent State with a $1 million donation. This new scholarship program will provide support to first-generation students of any major who require financial support to attend Kent State.

Our Commitment to Caring Amid Changing Directives

Dear Members of the �鶹���� Community,

Welcoming Future Flashes

Future Flash Days offer an opportunity for admitted students and their families to come from all over the country to visit Kent State to experience campus life and learn more about our academic programs to further inform their decision to choose Kent State. 

Digging Deep Into the History at Manot Cave

For thousands of years, Manot Cave in Western Galilee, Israel, remained a silent witness to human history. Now, �鶹����’s Linda Spurlock, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Anthropology, and a team of international researchers are being recognized for bringing the secrets of Manot Cave to the surface. 

Arianna’s Path to Success: Engineering a Future Close to Home

For Arianna Terakedis, choosing her hometown campus at �鶹���� at Tuscarawas to pursue a bachelor's degree in mechanical en

IN A FLASH: Alumni Art Show Ends Friday

The inaugural Biennial Alumni Exhibition, currently on display in two galleries inside Kent State's Center for the Visual Arts, opened on Jan. 17 and will end on Feb. 21. 

Talking Teamwork and Innovation

J.R. Campbell, executive director of the Design Innovation Initiative at �鶹����, discusses how working together can lead to amazing new ideas on the "iNNOVATION Insights" podcast and website. Campbell, who is an expert in combining technology with design, believes that when people from different backgrounds and skills come together, they can create incredible things. 

IN A FLASH: From the Hearts of Student Artists

Student art clubs sold their creations as Valentine's Day gift ideas sale in the atrium of the Center for the Visual Arts.

Student Spotlight: Kat Thomas

Meet Kat Thomas!

“I’ve been doing my craft since middle school. I didn’t realize until my senior year that I wanted to do this forever. I thought I was going to art school, but Kent State paved the way for something I loved even more!"

New Publication Highlights Challenges and Applications of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

Study explores various hydrogen production methods, including green hydrogen generated through renewable energy sources and blue hydrogen produced from natural gas with carbon capture.

Flash Focus: Adriana Hines

Meet Adriana Hines, a senior criminology and justice study major with a concentration in justice and human relations, from Washington, D.C., whose high school experiences led to interests in law and criminal justice.

Innovation in a Flash - Kent Hosts FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifier

�鶹����'s College of Aeronautics and Engineering hosted the FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifier this past Saturday. FIRST Tech Challenge is a robotics, sport like competition targeted for students in grade 7-12.

Industry Spotlight - Dupont Vespel

Exploring Her Options Led to the Perfect Career

When �鶹���� alumna Aysia Kemp declared her major in the first semester of her sophomore year, she felt confident in her chosen path. However, things didn’t quite start off that way. Kemp credits her experiences in the Exploratory Program for leading her to her ideal career.

Kent State Maintains Prestigious R1 Research Activity Designation With 2025 Carnegie Classifications

With the release of the new 2025 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, �鶹���� has once again been awarded the prestigious R1 designation, recognizing Kent State as one of the top research universities in the nation. 

New Location, Same Mission and Exceptional Bargains

The KSU Surplus Store opened on East Main Street in September of 2023. It recently moved to a new location – on campus in the vacant College of Business Administration Building. The new location offers single-floor shopping and easier access for students and faculty. 

Belonging Champions: Faculty Working to Transform the Student Experience Are Changing Themselves in the Process

�鶹���� Professor Mary Russell, Ph.D., recalls the very day she realized that her participation in the Belonging Champions program was transforming her and her classroom.

IN A FLASH: Going Global On Campus

Feb. 10-14 is I Heart Travel Week at Kent State. There are international activities scheduled on each day, culminating on Friday with the Global Safari Fest. 

Global Safari Fest is a Fabulous Finish to I Heart Travel Week

It’s Kent State’s biggest international event of the year. Providing a fantastic finish to I Heart Travel Week’s five days of activities, Global Safari Fest celebrates Kent State’s international students with performances, a country fair and global cuisine.  

100 Plates: Empowering Wellness in Community

Reflecting on the words of prominent figures in history can present opportunities to discover new perspectives and have important discussions surrounding social issues. This is exactly what happened at the 100 Plates: Empowering Wellness in Beloved Community event organized by the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Events Committee. 

One Year In, Cannabis Education Program Sees Strong Growth

Since launching in January 2024, more than 200 students have enrolled in Kent State's online cannabis education program.

IN A FLASH: Zapping The Zips

Kent State’s Golden Flashes women’s basketball team celebrated 50 years of women’s basketball with “gold-out” game victory over their arch-rivals, the Akron Zips. 

Kent State's Business Analytics Students Continue to be in High Demand

Students who graduate from the business analytics program in Kent State’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship are a testament to the program’s excellence.

Dropping the Needle – and the Stream - Gen Z Loves Vinyl

Vinyl record collecting has been a hobby since the first needle hit those grooves, but today’s college-age generation may be single-handedly helping keep this trend alive and thriving. But what is the draw to vinyl over more accessible and portable media such as MP3s and streaming services for Gen Z?

Award-Winning Psychology Researcher Seeks to Advance Math Cognition

Spring Enrollment Highlights Positive Trend as More Students Choose Kent State

Positive growth. That’s the outlook on current and future enrollment following the release of �鶹����’s 15-day report, which locks in enrollment numbers for the spring semester based on the preponderant headcount on the 15th day of the term. 

Kent State Student Organization Awarded Prestigious Satellite Program

�鶹����'s AstroFlashes CubeSat club has been selected for the University Nanosatellite Program, marking a significant milestone in student-led aerospace research.

IN A FLASH: Celebrating the Lunar New Year

To celebrate the Lunar New Year last week, University Culinary Services offered a special menu of Chinese dishes at Eastway Center.

Flash Focus: Christopher Shaffer

Meet Christopher Shaffer, a senior aerospace engineering major with a minor in physics, from New Bern, North Carolina, whose curiosity in sciences paved the way for his academic career.

A Fashionable Use of Artificial Intelligence

Lauren Copeland understands the importance of becoming familiar with artificial intelligence – and balancing technology with human thought and creativity – to train students to be confident in their skills and what they can provide to the industry. Her Fashion Fundamentals class was recently tasked with creating shoe designs using an AI platform.

‘The Legacy of Being a Kent State Nurse’

Henderson Hall’s auditorium was filled with nursing students, excitement and a little nervous energy during this year's White Coat Ceremony, where second-year nursing students donned their white coats and made a pledge to provide the highest quality care and service to their patients.  

Antonio Gates Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Antonio Gates has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025, becoming the second Kent State alumnus to earn football's highest honor, joining linebacker Jack Lambert who was enshrined in 1990.

‘Where Art, Fashion and Education Intersect’

�鶹���� Museum, under the leadership of director Sarah Spinner Liska, Ph.D., J.D., is becoming a dynamic hub for creativity, fashion and education. Liska was recently featured in a Cleveland.com article highlighting some of her current initiatives and her focus on increasing student involvement.

‘Sacrifice is a Silent Decision That Makes the Loudest Impact’

In getting into the role of the lead character in "Trial By Fire," a play about banned books and activism, a Kent State student keenly feels the connections between the themes in the play and the university’s history of activism. 

Kent State School of Fashion to Induct Shoe Design Icon Donald J Pliner Into Hall of Fame

In April 2025, the iconic designer will be recognized as the 2025 inductee of �鶹����’s School of Fashion Hall of Fame, which Pliner considers the highest honor of his life. Joining Pliner at his induction ceremony will be his wife, muse and design partner, Lisa, who has been by his side for the past 28 years. 

In the News: Gratitude and Graduation, Criminology, Drone Law, Going Green

“In the News” features �鶹����’s values, cultures, high-quality academics and award-winning support and access for all in these media stories of our faculty, staff, students and alumni in action.