Commencement

Commencement tent on Manchester Field

The large tent for next week's commencement ceremonies is being assembled on Manchester Field.

Deanne Parr and Family

Deanne Parr never gave up on her dream of earning a degree, which included overcoming the many challenges of being a teen mother.

New Kent State University graduates from the Summer Class of 2022 celebrate together

The Kent State University alumni family will grow by more than 1,200 new graduates as the university holds its summer commencement ceremonies. The accomplishments of the Summer Class of 2022 will be recognized with in-person, outdoor commencement ceremonies and a virtual commencement ceremony on Aug. 20.

A new Kent State graduate receives a kiss from a loved one.

The Kent State University alumni family will grow by more than 5,000 new graduates as the university holds its spring commencement ceremonies. The accomplishments of the Spring Class of 2022 will be recognized with in-person, outdoor commencement ceremonies on May 12-14 and May 20 and a virtual commencement ceremony for all colleges and degrees on May 15.

A new Kent State graduate smiles after receiving her degree during her commencement ceremony in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation (MAC) Center.

The Kent State alumni family grew by more than 2,400 new graduates as the university held its fall commencement. The accomplishments of the Fall Class of 2021 were recognized with in-person commencement ceremonies and a virtual commencement ceremony for all colleges and degrees on Dec. 17-18.

New Kent State graduates smile while holding their degrees after their commencement ceremony in August 2021.

The Kent State University alumni family grew by nearly 1,300 new graduates as the university held its summer commencement. The accomplishments of the Summer Class of 2021 were recognized with in-person, outdoor commencement ceremonies and a virtual commencement ceremony for all colleges and degrees on Aug. 21.

Nick Pizzi interview banner internal

In March 2015, Nick Pizzi hit rock bottom. After receiving his third DUI, he decided to stop drinking. But unfortunately, it was too late. Four months later, before his daughter’s eighth birthday, Pizzi was sentenced to one year in the Ashtabula County jail, where his life would change forever for the positive. On May 14, 2021, he will pick up his bachelor's degree diploma during the 72nd Commencement Ceremony at Kent State University at Ashtabula.

A Kent State graduate student is covered in confetti during the university’s Advanced Degree Commencement Ceremony.

Students wearing graduation caps and gowns will once again grace the campus as Kent State University celebrates its newest graduates and marks the return of in-person commencement ceremonies for the first time since December 2019.

A graduating Kent State University student smiles in her cap and gown at Risman Plaza in spring 2020.

Kent State University will hold in-person commencement ceremonies in May for the Spring Class of 2021 and will welcome back all 2020 alumni for an in-person graduation ceremony during Homecoming Weekend this fall.