When Michael Bugary looks at his first published book, The Disease of Me, he still feels a little surprised. “I was reading the final edit and thought, ‘Who wrote this?’” he said with a laugh.But behind that humor is a long road through sports injuries, cancer treatment, addiction, recovery and rebuilding his life. Today, the Kent State University at Ashtabula graduate is a motivational speaker, author and mentor. His book tells the story of how he learned to face his past, take responsibility for his actions and build a sense of self‑worth that doesn’t depend on other people’s approval....

Kathleen Casto and Beau Alward are the 2026 Frank A. Beach Early Career Award WinnersSBN is pleased to announce that Dr. Kathleen Casto and Dr. Beau Alward are this year’s recipients of the Frank A. Beach Early Career Award. Drs. Casto and Alward are making significant contributions and innovations to the field of behavioral neuroendocrinology and advance the field by their service to the society, by their commitment to mentorship, and by promoting a lab culture of inclusivity. Kathleen CastoDr. Casto’s research seeks to uncover the role of hormones in driving social status and affiliatio...

  Kent State’s Golden Flashes baseball team kicked off their 2026 season on the road with a three-game series sweep of the Southeastern Louisiana Lions and then won another road series against the University of Tennessee Volunteers.  On Feb. 27 and 28, in their home opening series, the Golden Flashes completed their THIRD series win in a three-game sweep of the University of Rhode Island Rams on Olga Mural Field at Kent State’s Schoonover Stadium.   Want to see YOUR photos in “IN A FLASH?” Submit your Kent State-related photos to InAFlash@kent.edu&n...

In an era where social media connections replace face-to-face interactions and political divisions seem insurmountable, one Kent State University professor has found an antidote: bringing college students and older adults together through simple, meaningful human connection.For over 6 years Manacy (Mansi) Pai, Ph.D., a professor in Kent State's Department of Sociology and Criminology, has run Generations Connect—a volunteer initiative that pairs  undergraduate and graduate students with residents in local long-term care communities across Northeast Ohio. Through arts and crafts, storytell...

Kent State Today will be following a group of Golden Flashes for the 2025-26 academic year, chronicling their efforts and successes during the fall and spring semesters. The group of students is at various places in their Kent State University academic careers and will share their experiences throughout the year as they take part in our distinctive programs, research and global experiences.When we first met Julia Michalak (read our first interview with Julia here), a senior in the Physical Education and Sport Performance program, in November 2025, she shared how the dread she felt going to gym...