Community & Society

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.

This year's May 4 Commemoration remembered the fallen and recognized the spirit of activism that is part of Kent State's history and the university's foundational values. 

Against the backdrop of a new generation of student activism, the Kent State community gathered to reflect and remember the student protesters killed and wounded on May 4, 1970.

Commemorative landscapes and how they help produce a sense of empathy and place and foster a connection to help us learn from our past was a theme explored Friday, May 3, by Kent State University Professor Chris Post, Ph.D., speaker for the annual Jerry M. Lewis May 4 Lecture Series and Luncheon.

Tonight, the annual candlelight walk and vigil continues a 53-year tradition as part of this week's May 4 Commemoration.

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. 

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.  

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.

Birds flew overhead, black squirrels darted around and a cool, calm breeze swept across Risman Plaza on April 22 as dozens of organizations assembled their tables for Earth Fest, an interactive Earth Day event.