Alumni
‘I AM FIRST Week’ Celebrates Kent State Alumni
Kent State University is celebrating its first-generation students this week with a series of events and programs to spotlight and encourage current students who will be the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Neuroscience Symposium Brought Top Researchers to Kent State
Kent State University alumnus Earl Miller, Ph.D., a leading cognitive neuroscientist, and his wife Marlene Wicherski were recognized at the university’s 10th Annual Neuroscience Symposium, for their $2 million commitment to support research programs and students in Kent State’s Brain Health Research Institute.
Julianna Medina Politsky, ’02
Julianna Medina Politsky, ’02, harnesses Midwest grit to make a name for herself - and space for other women - in Hollywood
2022 Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients Celebrated at Oct. 21 Ceremony
The Distinguished Teaching Award, sponsored by the Kent State Alumni Association, is presented to three faculty members who demonstrate extraordinary teaching in the classroom and a commitment to impacting the lives of students. This year marks the 56th class of Distinguished Teaching Award recipien…
Alumna Morgan Dawson’s Construction Pants Combine Comfort and Utility
Alumna Morgan Dawson created Dawson Workwear, a line of pants specifically for women in construction, to provide comfort and an appropriate fit for the female body.
“Equal Justice – Under Law – For All”
In the yearly collaboration to celebrate Constitution Day, Kent State University Libraries and the Honors College co-hosted a Constitution Day event on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. Accomplished New York attorney and Kent State Honors College alumnus Lloyd De Vos presented a keynote entitled “Equal J…Brandon Lazenko, ’16
Brandon Lazenko, ’16, found a way to provide an unusual opportunity for Kent State film students to learn outside of the classroom through his upcoming project, “October Roses.” He and fellow Kent State graduate Shelby Wyant, ’18, wrote the 40-minute film adapted from Stephen King’s short story “Nona.” The alumni pair got permission to create their adaptation of the short story from King and his team through his Dollar Baby Program. “October Roses” follows a down-on-his-luck professor who meets a beautiful woman while hitchhiking around Maine. He gets wrapped up in her web and makes decisions he normally wouldn’t make. His team for the film includes Kent State students who are helping on set, horror special effects icon Robert Kurtzman and his wife Marcy King who are both Ohio natives. However, Brandon’s experience in film didn’t begin with “October Roses.” He’s also created two miniseries and four short films, including the award winning “A Serpent by the Nest.”
Kent State Alumni Association Names 2022 Alumni Award Recipients
Sponsored by the Kent State University Alumni Association, the Alumni Awards are the university’s highest alumni honors. Recipients are selected based on their exceptional professional and civic contributions and for their outstanding support of the university. The 2022 Alumni Award recipients include six alumni and one student.
Black Alumni Chapter Spotlight - Willard Jenkins, ’73
A Lifelong Love of JazzKent State graduate serves as artistic director of DC jazzfestSince his days as an undergraduate student at Kent State University, one might say jazz has been the soundtrack of Willard Jenkins’, ’73, life. Jazz was likely playing as he penned his jazz column f…
Kent State Achieves Unprecedented Fundraising Success During First Year of Forever Brighter Campaign
Kent State University launched the public phase of its $350 million Forever Brighter comprehensive fundraising campaign in October 2021, and during the first year of the public campaign, a record-breaking $77.6 million was raised. This philanthropic feat was made possible with the support of 10,687 donors, 3,753 of whom made a gift to Kent State for the first time.