Using Kent State University’s exceptional student support and career resources, senior aerospace engineering major Sydney Bihn followed her instincts to her true career calling.   Since high school, Sydney Bihn’s plan was to become a teacher, specifically in middle childhood education. When it came time to choose a university, she wanted to stay in Ohio to take advantage of in-state tuition.   She visited several Ohio universities, including the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Ohio State University and Miami University. Then, she and her father ...

Silver spoon or plastic fork? Every child is born with certain economic advantages and disadvantages that shape their futures.   The fledgling Rising Scholars program was initiated last year to level the playing field for at-risk Geauga County students who face uncertain outcomes after high school graduation. Thanks to a $14,079 grant from the Lake-Geauga Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, this intervention program administered by Kent State University Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center will expand opportunities for even more local students throughout the 2020 calendar year. &nb...

The COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home order remind Emeritus Professor and former Chair of the Teaching, Leadership, and Curriculum Studies Department Doris Simonis of her previous experiences with social distancing. Inside her current home at the Laurel Lake Retirement Community Simonis shared personal stories from her childhood where being diagnosed with certain illnesses would require her to be isolated at home or in a sanatorium for up to months at a time. In a post on the Laurel Lake Retirement Community Facebook page, Simonis described her experiences of when she had whooping cough...

Kent State University Geauga and the Twinsburg Academic Center is pleased to recognize Spring 2020 graduates. Over 180 students earned their associate or bachelor’s degrees, and those students who completed the RSVP to the Kent State Virtual Commencement Ceremony were acknowledged on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at 11 AM. Please visit the Kent State University Commencement webpage for more information regarding the virtual ceremony; the recordings are available to view at any time. Name Degree Asia Nicole Austin Associate of Arts Nicholas Anthony Br...

In his professional career as a glassblower, Kent State University alumnus Dan Alexander has done a lot in the decade since graduating with a B.F.A. in Craft in 2010. From humble beginnings in the hot shop at Hale Farm and Village, he has since traveled the world as an educator and demonstrator for the Corning Museum of Glass, working with some of the best in the field along the way. With a body of work that varies widely in style and technique, ranging from functional vessels to large scale sculpture, Dan has found success in both the Craft and Fine Art worlds. He is currently serving as hots...

Geology PhD candidate Md Abu Raihan Chowdhury is the 2020 recipient of the Mineralogical Society of America's Grant from the Edward H. Kraus Crystallographic Research Fund. The award is $5000 for research expenditures. Raihan's proposal is entitled "The role of mineral surface coatings on colloids in controlling metal transport in acid mine drainage-impacted areas." The Mineralogical Society of America's Grant for Research in Crystallography is funded by the Edward H. Kraus Crystallographic Research Fund with contributions from MSA members and friends. The grant awards up to $5,00...

Spring Commencement is traditionally one of the biggest nights of celebration for our campus each year. However, this year's celebration can't be held in person - but that doesn't mean our graduates aren't worth celebrating. In addition to the obstacles students traditionally face and overcome on the way to graduation, this last semester has added the challenges associated with remote instruction, stay at home orders, new uncertainties and more. The faculty and staff want to share special messages with members of the Spring 2020 graduating class. All of us at Kent State Ashtabula are proud of...