**MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY**
MONDAY, JULY 22 @ 12:25 P.M.
Kent State Student to Be Recognized By Kent State Police Department and Ohio Homeland Security for Preventing a Potential Violent Act
WHAT:
The chief of police at Kent State University and a supervisor from Ohio Homeland Security will recognize Kent State student Zoë Burch of Pittsburgh on Monday, July 22, for her quick actions to notify authorities when she saw suspicious activity on the Internet.
While in her first year at Kent State, Burch was online and noted a potential threat of violence directed at a school in Pennsylvania. She reported the information to Kent State Police, which led to the involvement of the FBI in Northeast Ohio and Pittsburgh, and Pennsylvania authorities. The threat was confirmed with authorities in Pennsylvania, and the suspect was arrested.
Kent State Police Chief John Peach and Andrew Stefanik of Ohio Homeland Security Strategic Analysis and Information Center in Columbus, Ohio, will honor the student for her actions and share the success of increasing public awareness as “eyes and ears” to report suspicious or questionable activity. Burch, as well as her family, will be in attendance.
WHEN:
Monday, July 22
12:25 p.m. – recognition event with brief remarks from Peach, Stefanik and Burch; one-on-one interviews with media available following event
WHERE:
Kent Student Center, Alumni Suite located on the 3rd Floor
Kent State University
For directions, visit www.kent.edu/studentcenter/directions-and-parking-to-ksc.cfm.
Parking is available in the visitor’s lot in front of the Kent Student Center off of Summit Street. Please bring your parking ticket in with you to the student center, and we will validate it for you.
RSVP:
Members of the media who plan to attend are asked to RSVP to the media contacts listed below.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595
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