On Sept. 30, a crisp fall morning inside the unseasonably warm Department of Biological Sciences’ Herrick Conservatory, dirty hands and laughter were some of the results of an hour’s work. Sixteen Kent State University students gathered around two tables loaded with a rich mixture of clay, compost and native flower seeds, rolling them into small, compact spheres about the size of doughnut holes.The main goal, though? Making seedballs, a simple yet effective method for planting native plants and wildflowers to enhance pollinator habitats across campus.For many, like Julianna Tresler, a senior v...

An’Jeanette “Ann” Beverly, ’20, MBA ’22, reached a crisis point during the COVID-19 pandemic as she was trying to finish her bachelor’s degree at Kent State University at Stark. During her last semester, this single mother in her forties was balancing the responsibilities of raising her teenage son, managing household expenses and pursuing her educational goals. Financial uncertainty threatened to interrupt the academic journey she had worked so hard to complete. “I had no money,” Beverly said. “I was so stressed out that I wasn’t going to be able to complete my schooling.” Then came...

Our PhD student, Jacob Harver, has had a busy year. Having successfully passed his prospectus defense, he’s teaching American History survey courses for the department and is writing his dissertation on Northeast Ohio economic history. But more than that, he is also a part of the fabric of Youngstown civic life. A recent interview with Youngstown’s CBS affiliate WKBN, and an article in the Youngstown paper The Vindicator, has raised his profile. Dr. Steigmann-Gall interviewed Jacob on his commitment to Northeast Ohio life and heritage.Richard Steigmann-Gall (RSG): So Jacob, tell us about the f...

When Tracy Laux, ’82, ’90, retired from Kent State in May 2025 after a 35-year career, he wanted to find a way to remain involved and continue supporting students. For Laux that connection had nothing to do with academics. Instead, he decided to take charge with a personal care items drive benefiting the CARES Center. As Faculty Senate emeritus and the emeritus representative of the KSU Retirees Association to the Kent State Faculty Senate, Laux organized the drive that brought faculty, administrators and retirees together to collect 200 personal care items for students in need. The donat...