The Kent State University alumni family grew by nearly 1,200 new graduates as the university held its summer commencement ceremonies. The accomplishments of the Summer Class of 2023 were recognized with outdoor commencement ceremonies on Aug. 19.
In total, 1,185 degrees were conferred consisting of 179 associate degrees, 584 bachelor’s degrees, 354 master’s degrees, 67 doctoral degrees and one educational specialist degree.
More than 600 of the graduating students participated in the in-person commencement ceremonies.
During the commencement ceremonies, graduating students heard from Kent State President Todd Diacon and Senior Vice President and Provost Melody Tankersley. Graduating students also received individual name recognition and participated in the conferral of degrees and tassel turning ceremony.
The Undergraduate Degree Ceremony featured Lamar R. Hylton, Ph.D., Kent State’s senior vice president for student life, as the commencement speaker. Hylton is joining Indiana University Bloomington as vice provost for student life on Sept. 5. The Kent State community wished him well and is grateful for Hylton’s leadership in advancing students first.
At the Advanced Degree Ceremony, the university conferred its first-ever Doctor of Philosophy degree from the College of Aeronautics and Engineering for one student studying aerospace engineering.