Community Impact
Exuberant celebrations and tears of joy punctuated one of the biggest weekends of the year at Kent State as the university welcomed its spring Class of 2024 graduates.
Karamu Ya Wahitimu/Celebración De Los Graduados is an annual tradition celebrating all of Kent State's graduating African American, Native American, Latinx, Hispanic and Multiracial undergraduate and graduate students.
![Pamela Brigger presents at the 2024 ESDRI Showcase](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/2024%20ESDRI%20Showcase%20Banner.jpg?VersionId=x_Tc.dNVHoiJOfzoWbpjOqNav4A9vdEt&itok=MhSSeF1O)
The environment is something that many people take for granted. But it affects us all. Some recent Kent State University students spent the semester putting environmental issues front and center.
![Chief Dean Tondiglia retires after 43 years on Kent State Police Department. Chief Dean Tondiglia retires after 43 years on Kent State Police Department.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/tondiglia%20retirement.jpg?VersionId=57z3.0so6cvzY_DxzMdxpsciYDYQnpWv&itok=WvpD83p7)
Kent State University Police Chief and Director of Public Safety Dean Tondiglia wasn’t legally old enough to be a police officer when he was hired by the Kent State Police Department.
![A man runs on a treadmill in a gym](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/pexels-willpicturethis-1954524.jpg?VersionId=XNnYn0AXfJdID8HQL6YIPuqozg4wIncG&itok=_dBtZs_7)
Researchers are trying to determine how many athletes are using cannabis products as part of their workouts and why. The results indicate it's more common than was thought.
![Bird Image courtesy of https://macaulaylibrary.org](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/BirdMigration.png?VersionId=oKxz6glN2EF7_.7Y9_4RmpcsHBWQSqXu&itok=tM_fRMJs)
Every spring and fall millions of birds migrate through Northeast Ohio on their way to or from their breeding grounds. With their song and bright colors, birds help brighten our campus after a long winter.
![Alison Caplan in Washington DC Alison Caplan in Washington DC](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Unknown-2_5.jpeg?VersionId=AiWVl5_mBCAEr5YrmzStcFQeVOtZT7vk&itok=qJZVaFYz)
In her first year as the director of the May 4 Visitor Center, Alison Caplan has enjoyed uniquely wonderful and "magical" experiences in how Kent State's history creates connections and inspiration.
![McGilvrey Kidnap McGilvrey Kidnap](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Screenshot%202024-04-12%20at%202.05.39%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=1v1cdJLKYPFD97W6SDQRDYDsmNx.sdCn&itok=WMOzNVtj)
In 1941, a writing exercise for high school journalists visiting Kent State was centered around a fictional kidnapping of the university's first president, John E. McGilvrey. In a pre-internet version of a "home page takeover," the stories ran on the front page of the Kent Stater - without including information revealing that they were not real!
![Assistant Professor Sara Koopman Assistant Professor Sara Koopman](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Sara%20Koopman%20with%20map.jpg?VersionId=h6_NFVp9AEAnt4JrVt2F7RZFY6eNug13&itok=Col2w_pG)
The idea was simple: Physically connect people with the locations of the May 4, 1970, Kent State University shootings so they might better connect with each other.
![CAPS observes Teal Tuesday 2024 CAPS observes Teal Tuesday 2024](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/436410255_844920510987964_3839518886626604549_n.jpg?VersionId=5KtyCH7I1N0EgfGG6trOOStDDPPlM5w_&itok=6GoFUEpO)
Kent State staffers from Counseling and Psychological Services wore teal in support of their colleagues at the Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services' Teal Tuesday campaign for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.