A Campaign More Than a Century in the Making What was once a tiny spark is now a force of brilliance. See how this campaign will connect our proud past to our bright future. scroll to begin Past Present Future Past Present Future 1910 Kent Normal School Founded William Kent donates his farm to build school 1920 Kent State Airport Created Opens to the public as Stow Aviation Field 1965 Black Squirrels Arrive on Campus Grounds superintendent imports squirrels from Canada 2018 Rising Scholars First Rising Scholars Class Graduates High School 2018 What Sets Us Apart Is How We Come Together This is a campaign built for all of us, by all of us. Together we are a force for the future - and a source for good. Together we will make the world Forever Brighter. Help us achieve our goal of raising $350 million to support our students. 2019 Brain Health Research Institute Created Created to improve our understanding of brain function in health and disease 2019 Design Innovation Initiative Launched Created to enhance collaboration and communication skills, critical thinking and creativity for our students 2019 FedEx Aeronautics Academic Center Opens Helping aviation students soar to greater achievements 2020 Kent State Emergency Grant Fund Established University responds to dire student needs during COVID-19 pandemic 2021 Forever Brighter Campaign Launches Public Phase Most ambitious fundraising campaign in KSU history launches at Homecoming 2021 2021 Kent State Captures First Mac Institutional Academic Achievement Award Golden Flashes earn award for 3.4 average GPA 2021 Flashes Go Further Scholarship Program Created Recipients receive aid to cover the full cost of tuition, general fees and books 2021 Brain Health Research Institute Collaboratories Open New space for faculty and student research and collaboration 2021 Honors College Welcomes Largest Ever Freshman Class College welcomes 577 new freshman for Fall 2021 2021 College of Podiatric Medicine receives largest donation in KSU History $10 million gift to support students in Ohio’s only podiatric college 2021 Historic Gift Names College and Building The largest single gift in university history, by Ambassador Edward F. Crawford, completes capital campaign for new building for business students 2021 Design Innovation Hub Opens Features innovation workshops, research labs, prototyping labs and social spaces 2022 Kent State Florence Celebrates 50 Years Helping students increase their global awareness 2022 Global Endowment Created Kent State's Global Education Endowment will support scholarships for study abroad experiences and open doors for more Kent State students than ever before 2022 CAE Pilot Pinning Ceremony College of Aeronautics and Engineering Hosts First Pilot Pinning Ceremony - College alumni return to present wings to students who just earned their pilot’s license 2023 Renaissance Gala in Florence Renaissance Scholars Society Gala in Florence, Italy celebrates 50th anniversary of Kent State’s Florence program with Global Education’s biggest supporters 2023 Engineering Addition Opens New addition provides space for enrollment growth 2023 Launch of Beyond Academics initiative New campaign initiative supports students as they uncover passions and engage in enriching experiences through our nationally recognized student support programs 2023 Crawford Hall Beam Placement Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship continues construction of its new home Crawford Hall - with the symbolic placement of the final beam 2024 New Crawford Hall Opens Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship Moves to New Home on Front Campus 2024 Forever Brighter Campaign Concludes Donor support helps university exceed $350 million raised
