When storms approach, most people heed the warnings by seeking the safety of shelter and waiting for the winds and rain to pass. There are many, however, whose jobs require them to respond and run into the storm’s path to help others. That’s exactly what happened as the COVID-19 pandemic stormed into our lives and caused havoc in almost every aspect of life as we knew it. Many sheltered in place and many others were called to respond to the storm raging around us. Two of those who responded, and found themselves in the eye of the storm, were Tony Koch and Brittany Bryte, both graduates of ...

He's only 4 years old, yet he's already certain of what he wants to do when he grows up. That by itself is pretty amazing. Patrick Tomaswick wants to be a police officer, but not just any member of law enforcement. He wants to be a Kent State University police officer. So much so that he wears his own Kent State police uniform to his preschool Zoom classes.  On days that his mother, LeighAnn, drops him off at Kent State's Child Development Center, Patrick's first glance is for the officer who waves and welcomes him to begin his day. His favorite is Officer Joe Knotek. ...

Thank you to all who joined us for our first live workout for Get Fit Don't Sit Day! We had so much fun connecting with all of you for some midday movement that we are going to make it a regular occurrence. Employee Wellness and Recreational Services are pleased to announce we will offer live virtual workouts every Tuesday and Thursday from noon – 1 p.m. starting May 14. Join Recreation Program Coordinator, Beth Michel, for a 45-minute total body workout that will incorporate cardio, strength and flexibility and can be completed in the comfort of your own home. This version of ...

During these trying times, finances are a source of stress for many. It is important to remember you are not alone in this situation, and there are resources available to help support financial health for you and your family.  IMPACT Solutions Employee Assistance Program Take advantage of FREE financial counseling available through our EAP. IMPACT's financial counselors can assist in the following ways: Comprehensive financial counseling to assist with debt management Guidance on how to approach creditors/loan providers regarding payment adjustments Housing counseling to ass...

Professor Jacob Barkley, Ph.D., is conducting a brief survey on the impact COVID-19 is having on the health behaviors and attitudes of Kent State University students and employees. This brief survey takes only a few minutes.   Titled, “Health behaviors and attitudes before and after face-to-face class cancellation,” the study will provide a better understanding of how the pandemic is affecting health behaviors and attitudes. Specifically, the department is interested in assessing possible changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior before and after Kent State canceled fac...

Kent State University President Todd Diacon recently presented six Kent State faculty members with the 2020 President’s Faculty Excellence Award that recognizes exceptional performance and leads to national or international recognition. Learn more. ...

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share by Email The COVID-19 pandemic halted Kent State University’s plans for the 2020 Environmental Science and Design Symposium, but it hasn’t impeded the spirit of the conference. In late April, Environmental Science and Design Research Initiative (ESDRI) leadership, in collaboration with representatives from the university’s Design Innovation (DI) Initiative, hosted virtual events to keep symposium registrants engaged, and celebrate students’ research projects. “We were a little heartbroken, after all the efforts ...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lexie Jones, Madison DeCato and other students in Kent State University’s College of Nursing have been employed in hospitals throughout Northeast Ohio, where they have honed their skills and observed healthcare professionals on the front lines. The emergence of COVID-19 has provided an unparalleled opportunity for Kent State’s nursing students to gain insight into the global pandemic in real time.   Jones, a Kent State sophomore, is only 19, but she has gained a wealth of experience working as a nursing assistant during the COVID-19 pandemic at Tru...

Dr. Joseph D. Ortiz, a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Geology at Kent State University, was part of an international team of researchers that co-authored an article about a deadly tsunami that occurred about 1,000 years ago in Tanzania. The study suggests that the tsunami risk in East Africa could be higher than previously thought.   Ortiz processed and interpreted the grain size data using a multivariate statistical analysis method, demonstrating the deposit was composed of sediment from both terrestrial and marine origin, which supports the tsunami in...

Congratulations to Dr. Joseph Ortiz, one of six Kent State faculty members presented with the 2020 President's Faculty Excellence Award, which recognizes exceptional performance that leads to the achievement of national or international recognition.  Joseph Ortiz, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Geology. His research focuses on paleoclimate change and water quality, particularly in the Great Lakes and Lake Erie. He research is widely known and has had major impacts on the impact of human influences on the water quality of Lake Erie and its neighboring watershed. His knowledg...