November 16-22 Too many young Americans are unable to make effective decisions, understand geo-spatial issues, or even recognize their impacts as global citizens. National Geographic created Geography Awareness Week to raise awareness to this dangerous deficiency in American education and excite people about geography as both a discipline and as a part of everyday life. Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. Geographers explore both the physical properties of Earth’s surface and the human societies spread across it. They also examine...

Charlie Thomas’ (’74 Marketing) mother graduated from high school and his dad finished eighth grade, so when Charlie was the second in his family to graduate from college (his older brother was the first), it was a personal accomplishment for him. “When I received my degree from Kent State University, I was so proud of myself,” said Charlie, owner of Kent’s iconicRay’s Place. “In our family, you were not encouraged or expected to continue your education past high school, and I had accomplished my goal through my own hard work, drive and determination.” “My college education was mostly self-f...