Impact Stories
Your Gift Causes an Effect that Reaches Far Beyond Kent State
At Kent State University, what sets us apart is how we come together: to cause discoveries, achievements, sensations and breakthroughs that change the world. When you give through Kent State to an area that matters personally to you, your support becomes a long-term investment in curing diseases, advancing sustainable technologies, enriching vibrant arts communities and ensuring the future of a skilled workforce ready to impact society.
Gifts made through Kent State support scholarships and programs that allow students to pursue their dreams and enter careers that shape our world. With more than 1,100 donor-funded scholarships and programs supported each year, every gift causes an effect – for both the donor and the recipient.
Donors choose exactly where they want their contributions to go. Each and every gift made through Kent State has an impact, no matter the size.
Read on to learn about the effect our generous donors have on our Kent State community and beyond.
Lisa Aurilio, ’87, MSN ’99, MBA ’11
John Zabrucky, ’71, MFA ’78, never planned to shape sci-fi history - but a chance encounter in Los Angeles changed everything.
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John Zabrucky, ’71, MFA ’78
John Zabrucky, ’71, MFA ’78, never planned to shape sci-fi history - but a chance encounter in Los Angeles changed everything.
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Courtney Gumpf, ’07
Courtney Gumpf, ’07, found her passion at Kent State University, where she built lasting connections and gained valuable experience through leadership in Greek life and internships in both Pittsburgh and New York City.
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Legacies Change Lives: Marissa Baker
The compassion, empathy and care nurses showed Marissa Baker when her mother suddenly passed led her to pursue a career in nursing.“The nurses helped me immensely during the hardest time in my life, and I will never forget the way they cared for me,” Marissa said. “I knew I…
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Kent State University Flashes Give Back Week: Serving Communities, Supporting Students and Showing Gratitude
From April 21-26, Golden Flashes came together in remarkable ways to make an impact during Flashes Give Back Week, a weeklong initiative celebrating all the ways Flashes give back.Join InAlumni and friends volunteered where it mattered most - at Kent State University and in…
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Legacies Change Lives: Marissa Baker
The compassion, empathy and care nurses showed Marissa Baker when her mother suddenly passed led her to pursue a career in nursing.“The nurses helped me immensely during the hardest time in my life, and I will never forget the way they cared for me,” Marissa said. “I knew I…
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Opening Doors for Future Nurses
When Phillip R. Ridgley thought back on his career and considered how he could help the next generation of medical professionals, he decided he wanted to open doors for Kent State students pursuing a career in nursing. He decided to start an endowment so that he could continue…
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Helping Others Realize Their Potential
When Terrence J. “Chip” Bahn, ’75, M.Ed. ’77, Ed.D., was a high school senior he wanted to attend Kent State University after graduation, but he wasn’t ready and his counselor encouraged him to start at the local community college before moving on to Kent State. This experience…
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Silas Ashley ’74
Silas Ashley, ’74, was told by his high school guidance counselor that he “was not college material," but after applying and being accepted to Kent State, Silas immersed himself in student life. He was a senator in Undergraduate Student Government and became the president of…
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