The Akron Press Club, in conjunction with the John S. Knight Memorial Journalism Fund Corp., hosted a celebration April 28, 2023, to present the 2023 John S. Knight Scholars. The two groups have been awarding scholarships together since 1985. Since its founding, the John S. Knight Journalism Memorial Fund has awarded a total of $682,000 in scholarships to aspiring students. The John S. Knight Memorial Journalism Fund annually awards scholarships to outstanding university students studying journalism, communication and public relations. This year, eight of the 10 scholarship recipients were ...

More than 560 employees joined Kent State University President Todd Diacon for his latest edition of “Talking With Todd,” a live chat he conducts from his office. The topic of the May 1 talk focused on Ohio Senate Bill 83 (or House Bill 151) and the proposed Ohio state budget for higher education. “I want to begin today with a reminder of our core values and who we are as an institution,” Diacon said. “So, I’ve said ever since my inauguration in 2019 that we are a university not just for the fortunate few but for the meritorious many. We have a long history of access at Kent State U...

Bernard “Bernie” M. Hovan, ’63 M.Ed. ’65, was a husband, father, scholar, teacher, coach, and mentor. He was a positive force who left a lasting impression on countless students and student-athletes who passed through the halls of two local high schools in Northeast Ohio. Bernie taught high school physical education, health, driver’s education and speech. He coached baseball, football, boys’ basketball, wrestling and girls’ tennis during an accomplished career that spanned nearly three decades; however, his legacy lives on. “My dad worked for a medical firm after high school but soon...

If ever there was someone who followed in their parents’ footsteps, it was Maria Schneider, ’96. Her mother and father met at, and graduated from, the College of Education, Health and Human Services, and both of them studied and taught health education and physical education. Maria earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and a minor in health education from EHHS. Her mother was head coach for a high school girls’ gymnastics team that won 16 consecutive state titles and 19 total. Now a head gymnastics coach herself, Maria has won four consecutive titles. Both of her parents spen...